The inaugural session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Human Rights of Older Persons marks the beginning of a new phase in global efforts to advance the human rights of older persons. Efforts to recognise, promote, and protect the human rights of older persons have been ongoing for many years through the work [...]
As work begins on drafting a UN Convention on the rights of older persons, an important question emerges: how do ethnocultural backgrounds shape dignity in older age, and what is needed to uphold it as a human right? Dignity belongs to everyone. However, culture, language, migration, and community shape how people experience and express [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Age Knowble Human Rights Day 2024
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
