SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS TODAY'S OLDER PERSON ARE PIONEERS, LED INITIATIVES DURING INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF OLDER PERSONS
Press Release
SG/SM/7150
OBV/109
SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS TODAY'S OLDER PERSON ARE PIONEERS, LED INITIATIVES DURING INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF OLDER PERSONS
19990927Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, 1 October:
The International Year of Older Persons is coming to a close, together with the twentieth century. Both have been eventful. The century has seen a dramatic increase in people's life expectancy and profound changes in the age structure of societies. The year has done a lot to bring awareness of these evolutions, to foster reflection on how to adapt to them, and to help us see them as opportunities to be seized, rather than a burden to be borne.
Increased longevity is providing humanity with a new frontier, a broadening of our mental and physical landscape. The older people of today are, in many ways, pioneers. True to this spirit, they have been innovators, catalysts and leaders of the many initiatives taken during the Year. In doing so, they have helped pave the way to a safer, healthier and richer life for the many generations of older people who will come after them.
The Year has also helped build some of the bridges that will enable us to move towards a "society for all ages". One in which the different age groups don't merely coexist, but take part together in the shared enterprise of citizenship. As we enter a new century and a new millennium, old and young -- and all in between -- are called upon to join in the common task of shaping a rapidly changing world. It is up to all of us, whatever our age, to ensure that no contribution to this endeavour is wasted because of age discrimination.
As we leave the International Year of Older Persons behind, let's take with us into the next era -- one in which the speed of population ageing will increase -- all we have come to understand about the benefits of a society that cares for all and counts on all, whatever their age.
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