Social Development Cannot Succeed Without Older Persons

Recognizing the Older Person in Social Development Who is the older person in our current narrative of social development? Someone leaning on the support of others? Someone leading the charge? In this photograph, an older woman looks toward the horizon. The lines on her face trace a life shaped by experience, resilience, and care—time

By |2025-12-15T21:01:05-08:00December 10th, 2025|Categories: Aging Matters|Tags: , , , |Comments Off on Social Development Cannot Succeed Without Older Persons

Between Promise and Practice: Reflections from HRC60

From the floor of HRC60, this reflection shows how ideals meet reality — where progress and struggle coexist, calling for deeper resolve, greater equality, and a future built on rights that protect and empower all. Ideals Tested, Humanity Shown At the Human Rights Council, ideals meet reality. During HRC60, I watched delegates debate words

By |2025-10-17T15:09:22-07:00October 7th, 2025|Categories: Aging Matters|Tags: , |Comments Off on Between Promise and Practice: Reflections from HRC60

Singing and Dancing for Their Rights

Elder abuse is heart-wrenching. Underscoring the harm and tragic narratives is a violation of the older person’s human right to be freed from violence, abuse, and neglect. A group of courageous and determined older advocates stood up for their rights through song and dance. Violence Against and Abuse and Neglect of Older People One

By |2025-04-23T17:48:38-07:00September 10th, 2024|Categories: Age Exchange, Aging Matters|Tags: , |Comments Off on Singing and Dancing for Their Rights

Leaps versus Strides Forward on Human Rights of Older People

It was Sunday morning during the Memorial Day weekend. I walked down Third Avenue amidst the warm breeze and bustling sounds of Manhattan feeling light hearted. We made a positive stride forward on the human rights of older people. A Step Forward The 14th Session of the Working Group took place before the 2024

By |2025-04-23T16:47:12-07:00May 31st, 2024|Categories: Aging Matters|Tags: |Comments Off on Leaps versus Strides Forward on Human Rights of Older People

Mainstreaming versus UN Convention

Some public policymakers see the mainstreaming of the older person and aging into existing human rights instruments as the way forward. The approach is inclusive in its intent, and action can happen immediately. Yet would mainstreaming, as an alternative to a dedicated UN Convention, bring about the full enjoyment of human rights by older

By |2025-04-23T16:46:44-07:00April 10th, 2023|Categories: Aging Matters|Tags: |Comments Off on Mainstreaming versus UN Convention

Global Rally for a UN Convention on the Rights of Older People

Rally for the Rights of Older People There is a global movement centered on human rights in older age. This movement is growing with strength. Older people, non-government organizations, academia, private organizations, and national human rights institutions are rallying for the rights of older people. Their voices and activism activities are national, regional, and

By |2025-04-23T13:27:39-07:00March 31st, 2023|Categories: Aging Matters|Tags: |Comments Off on Global Rally for a UN Convention on the Rights of Older People

UN Convention and the Older Person

United Nations (UN) Conventions A UN convention is an international treaty that binds countries once adopted at the UN General Assembly and ratified back home in the country. Countries with ratified treaties report their implementation progress to the UN Human Rights Council for peer review. This review process encourages global dialogue and establishes accountability. It

By |2023-04-17T15:17:54-07:00March 1st, 2023|Categories: Aging Matters|Tags: |Comments Off on UN Convention and the Older Person

Washroom Bill of Rights

Afraid to go out – No Public Washrooms! “I am afraid to go out to out. There are no public washrooms. I can not control my bladder like I used to”, said an older gentleman at a recent consultation. I saw a few other resigned looks of helplessness when I scanned the virtual room.

By |2025-04-23T16:47:52-07:00December 9th, 2022|Categories: Aging Matters|Tags: |Comments Off on Washroom Bill of Rights

International Day of Older Persons 2022

On this International Day of Older Persons, I celebrate our older people and their resilience. I am grateful for their inspiration and courage. Be it The older people, who walk with conviction using their canes and walkers, and showing us that setbacks do not define us. Or the courageous older woman, who

By |2025-04-29T17:56:41-07:00October 1st, 2022|Categories: Aging Matters|Tags: |Comments Off on International Day of Older Persons 2022
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