NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS NINTH ANNUAL COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS

Press Release

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS NINTH ANNUAL COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS

The growing needs of the world's ageing population will be the focus of an all-day event at United Nations Headquarters on 30 September as the United Nations marks the International Day of Older Persons 1999. Celebrated since 1992, this day has galvanized attention on the issues facing the ageing populations, including poverty, healthcare, and social isolation. This year, which is also the International Year of Older Persons, the theme is " Across Generations/Across Cultures.

Often escaping attention as the world is facing the largest generation of youth in history, more people are living longer than ever before, yet in many countries, both developing and developed, services for the elderly are limited.

The all-day event is organized by the Non-Governmental Organization Committee on Aging in collaboration with the United Nations Programme on Ageing and the United Nations Department of Public Information. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Conference room 4.

Ambassador Julia T. Alvarez, Alternate Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations and Aurelio Fernandez, Counsellor for Social Affairs in the Permanent Mission of Spain to the United Nations, will receive awards for their tireless efforts in promoting the International Year.

Ms. Thérèse Gastaut, Director of the Public Affairs Division, in the Department of Public Information, will welcome participants and moderate the morning session. Mrs. Gillian Sorensen, Assistant Secretary-General for External Relations, will read the message of the Secretary-General. The keynote address will be delivered by Nitin Desai, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, who will address the issue of "Putting Ageing on the Global Agenda".

Other speakers include: Ms. Helen Hamlin, Chairperson of the United Nations NGO Committee on Ageing; Alexandre Sidorenko, Focal Point for the International Year of Older Persons; Hon. Mrs. Faith Innerarity Director of the Social Security, Ministry of Social Affairs in Jamaica and Vice-Chair of the United Nations Commission for Social Development; Alexandre Kalache, Chief, Office of Ageing and Mental Health in the World Health Organization; and Ms. Rolling Walker, United States, Social Worker and Mediator.

- 2 - Note No. 5587 29 September 1999

In the afternoon there will be a reading from the play "Visiting Mr. Green", a discussion addressing intergenerational issues.

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For more information, please contact Ms. Shala Mokgethi, Development and Human Rights Section, UN Department of Public Information, tel. (212) 963-8014 or e- mail vasic@un.org.

For accreditation please contact the Media Accreditation Unit, UN Department of Public Information tel: (212) 963-6934 and Fax: (212) 963- 4642.