ELDERLY SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS DEPRECIATING ASSET, GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOLD

Press Release
GA/9624

ELDERLY SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS DEPRECIATING ASSET, GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOLD

The elderly should not be seen as a depreciating asset -- with a proper set of policies in place, they could continue to lead rich and useful lives and contribute positively to the community, the representative of Malaysia said today as the General Assembly continued its consideration of questions related to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family.

For every nation in the new economy of knowledge and human capital, the elderly were a valuable asset that deserved generation equity, he stressed. While their needs were basically the same as other multigenerations, they also required opportunities and support systems to enable them to enjoy income generation, social security and health care. The challenge for governments now was how to incorporate and reflect those enhanced needs in their resource allocations, service, legal and other related institutional frameworks. While the approach and responses to the challenge might vary from country to country, the common overriding concern was to provide love and care, he stressed.

The representative of the United States said that the International Year of Older Persons had "compelled us to pay more attention to changing world demographic trends, to consider the opportunities and the challenges that emerge as a consequence, to envisage our world in the next millennium, to encourage the development of an architecture for longevity, and to stimulate our public and private sectors alike to engage in the development of progressive ageing policies and programme proposals". There was an urgent need, both in the United States and globally, to ensure that the elderly enjoyed an improved quality of life.

A number of speakers stressed the links between poverty and war with the difficulties encountered in many countries in formulating policies to address issues relating to the elderly. Citing the case of his own country, the representative of Ecuador said, due to conflict and prolonged indebtedness, there was no current universal access to pension schemes or the health-care system for citizens over 65 years old. Poverty was, thus, a mandatory topic if the issue of the ageing was to be discussed.

The representative of the Sudan said that the elderly, as the most vulnerable group in society, needed the attention of both family and Government. He cited needs such as health care, nutrition, clothes and food that were directly affected by war. There was, therefore, a need to raise awareness on the status of the elderly during war and to provide an atmosphere of tranquillity for them.

General Assembly Plenary - 1a - Press Release GA/9624 24th Meeting (PM) 4 October 1999

Statements were also made this afternoon by the representatives of Mongolia, China, Egypt, Viet Nam, Trinidad and Tobago, Senegal, Brazil, Republic of Korea, Israel, Sweden, Philippines, Russian Federation, New Zealand, Croatia and Kazakhstan.

The Assembly will met again tomorrow at 10 a.m. to continue its consideration of questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family.

Assembly Work Programme

The General Assembly met this afternoon to continue its debate on social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons. It had before it the report of the Secretary-General on the issue and a related draft resolution (see Press Release GA/9622 dated 4 October).

Report of Secretary-General

In his report on the International Year of Older Persons (1999): activities and legacies (document A/54/268), the Secretary-General states that, in light of rapid population ageing and the projected demographic shifts extending into the coming century, governments have the responsibility of ensuring the well-being and health of all citizens. Such responsibility transcends any considerations of gender, social class, age group and ethnicity.

According to the report, it is necessary to move from an emphasis on the negative characteristics of older persons to their contributions; and from responding to ageing as a problem to viewing it as a potential for wealth creation and as a catalyst of flourishing lives.

The report states that each society must follow its own course towards the realization of a society of all ages and determine the first crucial step to be taken in that direction.

The report is divided into three parts: an introduction; a section describing activities during 1999 for the Year; and one describing the legacies of 1999. The activities described were at the national, intergovernmental and non- governmental levels. The section also includes the life-long individual development of individuals; initiatives related to multi-generational relationships; the interaction between population, ageing and development; and the relation between women and ageing. The latter states that the majority of older women have fewer resources and opportunities, which create obstacles to their full participation in the socio-economic, cultural and political life of their countries.

In addition to the above, the report’s section on the legacies of 1999 assesses the Year’s worldwide impact. It states that even though it is still too soon to evaluate, the Year’s worldwide impact on the United Nations programme on ageing is evident. The programme has extended its exploration of the roles, opportunities, entitlements and contributions of older persons in fast-changing societies. It has also engaged in the ongoing formulation of a policy framework for a society for all ages, together with a research engine that could drive it.

The report also contains an annex, which includes highlights of and expert consultation on developing a policy framework for a society for all ages. By combining strategic thinking with pragmatic measures, it represents the latest stage in a continuing process intended to facilitate movement towards “A society for all ages”, the theme of the Year. The annex was elaborated throughout the Year, most notably, at a United Nations interregional expert consultation in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 11 to 16 June.

Statements

JARGALSAIKHANY ENKHSAIKHAN (Mongolia) said that since time immemorial, Mongolians had revered elders, and the Constitution of Mongolia stated that every citizen had the right to receive financial and material assistance in their old age. But market reforms currently under way in Mongolia had created difficulties affecting the lives of the elderly. Due to inflation, pensions had shrunk enormously, often falling lower than the minimum subsistence level. The Government bore the expense of health insurance for older people and was contemplating a further raise in pensions; however, much still needed to be done.

One way of increasing the living standards of older persons was to provide a realistic opportunity for post-retirement employment, he said. Recent amendments to key legislation had created a more favourable environment for promoting the income sources of elders. Mongolia was taking steps to make appropriate use of the skills and wisdom of retirees, as well as encouraging older persons to share their life and work experience with the younger generation.

SHEN GUOFANG (China) said that the average life expectancy of the Chinese population was now around 70 years. It was projected that, by the year 2020, the population of the elderly in China would stand at 230 million and the number would continue to rise and reach 410 million by the year 2050. Such a huge elderly population and such rapid speed of growth would pose a severe challenge to a developing country like China whose economy is still not very developed. Therefore, the Chinese Government had given high priority to the issue and taken action in the fields of legislation and social welfare. Gradually, a social welfare system suited to China" national conditions was taking shape; it consolidated the roles of the Government, the community, the family and individual elderly.

The Chinese Government has given vigourous support to the United Nations resolution establishing the International Year of Older Persons. The State Council issued a circular calling upon departments and ministries to organize commemorative activities. Large numbers of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on national and local levels, organizations of the elderly, the media and many private organizations carried out commemorative events. In addition, the Government was preparing its report on ageing and would submit it soon to the United Nations.

AHMED ABOUL GHEIT (Egypt) stated that increasing awareness and better health care for the elderly had increased life expectancy in his country in the recent past. The Government supported civil and voluntary programmes for the elderly by providing financial resources to agencies that provided services to them. In addition, his Government was conducting gerontology education for psychologists and sociologists.

National efforts could not work in a void, he emphasized, but must be supported by the international community with the provision of technical, as well as financial, resources. The adverse effects of globalization suffered by developing countries impeded the provision of services to the population, especially the elderly, he said.

DATO' ABDUL AZIZ ABDUL RAHMAN (Malaysia) said, while the needs of the elderly were basically the same as other groups, they also required opportunities and support systems to enable them to enjoy income generation, social security and health care. The challenge for governments now was to incorporate and reflect those new enhanced needs in their resource allocations, service, legal and other related institutional frameworks. The elderly should not be seen as a depreciating asset. With a proper set of policies in place, they could continue to lead rich and useful lives and contribute positively to the community. While the approach and responses to the challenge might vary from country to country, the common overriding concern was to provide love and care. Malaysian national policy on the elderly incorporated self-respect and honour, self-reliance, participation, care and protection, and research into the well-being of the elderly as the main thrusts of its strategy. There was also a national advisory and consultative council and a national plan of action for the elderly.

Since 1991, several programmes had set out to highlight the issue of the ageing, with the aim of raising awareness at the multigenerational level in order to promote active ageing participation and networking. The preparation of entire populations for the later stages of life was an integral part of Malaysia's socio- economic policy framework. Malaysia was, nevertheless, taking effective steps to ensure that family ties and values were maintained, and that caring for the elderly continued to be the responsibility of the family. For every nation in the new economy of knowledge and human capital, the elderly component was never fully depreciated. The elderly remained a valuable asset that deserved generational equity.

NGO QUANG XUAN (Viet Nam) said that in his country older people were respected and taken care of because they represented living wisdom and had delivered, raised and educated younger generations to continue the cause of national defence and construction. According to the law on marriage and family, the primary responsibility to take care of the elder people was entrusted with their own family. The State provided concrete assistance, such as a financial subsidy, housing and medical care. The Vietnamese Association of Older Persons had a network at communal level which covered almost 90 per cent of the country's communes. That was a mass organization, whose main functions were to help take care of the material and spiritual life of the elder persons and engage them in the political, social and cultural activities of the local community.

A national committee in charge of the organization of the International Year had been set up and chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister to organize a nation-wide awareness-promoting programme for the Year and to undertake international and national research with regard to health and other care for older persons. A National Action Plan had been implemented to encourage elder persons to participate in communal activities. It hailed positive achievements of individuals and organizations in taking care of older persons. The National Action Plan focused on activities to show respect and love to older persons, to provide health care and medical treatment, to uphold the elder's role in each family and towards society, to respond to requests for information and to provide for recreational activities suitable for their age. There was a strong partnership between the Government and society through the NGOs working for the welfare of the older people. He called upon the younger generation to help foster multigenerational relationships and to see beyond the traditional stereotypes of older persons and gain a more positive image of the ageing process and its effect.

JEANETTE C. TAKAMURA (United States) said that the International Year of Older Persons had "compelled us to pay more attention to changing world demographic trends, to consider the opportunities and the challenges that emerge as a consequence, to envisage our world in the next millennium, to encourage the development of an architecture for longevity, and to stimulate our public and private sectors alike to engage in the development of progressive ageing policy and programme proposals". During the Year, the United States had placed strong emphasis on essential policy and programme discussions to prepare for population longevity in the twenty-first century. The United States Food and Drug Administration had formed a special agency-wide committee to offer activities and special information materials aimed at older adults. Communities across the United States had also embraced the International Year. The United States Department of Health and Human Services had held a symposium which brought together senior administrators from the Executive Branch to address the policy and programme implications for "our rapidly ageing society".

She said the symposium established a foundation to advance United States federal policy and programme agenda for older persons and their families in the twenty-first century. During that symposium, new federal-wide partnerships were forged. Governors proclaimed the Year within their States. Some States had also developed information kits, in addition to other activities in conjunction with intergovernmental and religious organizations. More than 500 events were organized in Pennsylvania alone. The United States would continue to draw on resources from the government sector, private industries, the non-profit community, the media and educational institutions. There was an urgent need, both in the United States and globally, to ensure that the elderly enjoyed an improved quality of life. The mission was to help build a society for all ages.

MANOHAR RAMSARAN, Minister for Social and Community Development of Trinidad and Tobago, said that by the year 2020 15 per cent of his country’s population would be aged 60 years and over. He noted that the population growth rate of older persons would rise even higher with new trend of return migration. For the observance of the International Year of Older Persons, Trinidad and Tobago had adopted the United Nations theme, "Towards a Society for All Ages", he stated. That theme had been operationalized into four dimensions that included reaching out to non-traditional actors and networking, research and information exchange. Currently, the Government was conducting a survey to collect data on the economic and psycho-social conditions of the elderly in Trinidad and Tobago to assist in forming long-term policies and programmes.

During the current year, questions being addressed included the country's pension programmes, as well as economic and social security benefits. A draft bill with regard to homes for older persons was being reviewed. At the regional level, the country had endorsed the Caribbean Charter on Health and Ageing, which involved creating supportive environments for the elderly who lived at home, and other considerations such as primary health care. However, Trinidad and Tobago recognized a need to incorporate more gerontology training programmes in schools and at the tertiary levels, and to revisit the issue of gender inequality as it related to the life-expectancy rates for women as against those for men.

IBRA DEGUENE KA (Senegal) said that it was customary to say that in Africa, an old person who died was “like a library burning down”. Ageing in all human societies represented successes in medicine and the improvement of living standards, but it posed challenges as well. He welcomed the positive initiatives carried out by the United Nations and NGOs.

In Senegal, people over 55 represented 7.6 per cent of the population, he said. That proportion would be up to 21 per cent in 2010. Older persons had a key role in African culture, and the Government had given priority to their issues, recognizing their contribution to society, particularly in educating younger persons. Senegal had undertaken many initiatives to commemorate the International Year. Older persons had been consulted, and their suggestions had provided the basis for a national action plan to assist older persons through financial help and specialized health centres. He called on the United Nations to promote the integration of older persons into its social development programmes, and to give them special attention in dealing with social situations of humanitarian crisis.

GELSON FONSECA, JR. (Brazil), noting that in Brazil ageing was just as much a cause as a consequence of profound social, economic and cultural changes under way in society, said that dealing with its implications required an integrated approach and concerted efforts, both at the national and international levels. Health care needs and costs were greatest for the elderly. Family members and community centres, rather than nursing homes, were encouraged to take the lead in caring for them. Out of respect and regard for those who had a lifetime of service to society, government policy sought to foster a sense of societal responsibility to the older generations and commended active volunteer work in that field.

He said that one outcome of the ageing process, especially in developing countries, was the increase in the number of economically dependent individuals and the drain on public resources. In Brazil, the simple sharing-welfare regime –- whereby the active population carried the burden of raising social security revenue –- had been replaced by a more sustainable and just system. To guarantee the social integration of the elderly, the underlying challenge -- the eradication of poverty -- must be addressed. Poverty shattered the hope of youth and denied dignity to those in the autumn of life, he said.

SUH DAE-WON (Republic of Korea) said the utilization of the human resources represented by older persons would lend to the achievement of sustainable development. Rapid demographic changes, along with the supplanting of the traditional family by a nuclear-family structure, demanded a new approach. Therefore, earlier this year, the Government had formulated a plan that placed emphasis on improving the productive capacities of older persons, in addition to nurturing their overall social interaction within their communities. In addition, job placement centres and vocational training programmes were focusing on older workers.

He recalled a number of events his Government had organized during the Year, the most significant being the Consult the Elders Programme, where representatives from organizations for the elderly met with the country's President to discuss issues relating to the aged and submit policy recommendations.

ARNOLD ROSIN (Israel) said the proportion of older persons (of pensionable age) in Israel had grown from approximately 3 per cent in 1948 to almost 10 per cent in 1998. Massive immigration had contributed to the almost tenfold increase in the population, many of whom were old. Much progress had been made in service arrangements and legislation on behalf of older persons. A special example was the unique Nursing Insurance Law of 1988 for the disabled elderly, which provided for extra personal help at home.

He said specific themes relating to the International Year which had been implemented in Israel included: fostering relations between youth and elderly, with particular emphasis on educational programmes; enhancing the image of the old person; communication among the elderly; and issues regarding the health of the elderly. For productive life in old age, volunteerism had been emphasized. Creativity among the elderly had been fostered through writing and photographic competitions. Much emphasis had been placed on inter-generational activity. In many schools, pupils visited pensioners in their homes or accompanied them, for security reasons, to collect their pensions.

A march of 6,000 pensioners took place last week in Jerusalem as part of a national health programme of "Walking for the Elderly", he continued. That group activity would be continued under expert volunteer guidance in coming years. Volunteerism as a regular occupation for the older person had also received much attention, and upgraded organization during the Year. Perhaps, the most important result of the Year should be a continuation of the momentum to enhance the positive image of the old person. He hoped that the Year would project its positive lessons about the older population well into the next century.

EWA PERSSON GORANSSON, State Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of Sweden, said her country had the highest proportion in the world of people in the age groups of those over 65 and over 80. In 20 years’ time, one in four Swedes would be over the age of 65. That greater proportion of elders in the society would also differ from today’s old-age pensioners by being healthier and better educated. The increase in elderly was both an achievement and a challenge. In part, due to the social welfare services of this century, more people had longer lives of higher quality than ever. In general, however, elderly people needed more health and social welfare services than the younger. Society had to adapt by increasing resources for training of elderly-care staff and by addressing the demands that a changing age structure in the population placed on most areas of social life, including the labour market and the business community.

The older section of society, she said, must be drawn into the information society which is transforming the country. Programmes had to be devised to help the elderly overcome the natural human resistance to new technologies. A society for people of all ages required the dropping of intergenerational antagonisms. It also required cooperation between health care and social service providers so that senior citizens could take part and have a say in the decisions affecting the community at large. That called for a radical change in attitude towards the elderly and towards ageing. In that regard, there was much to be learned from other cultures.

MARIO ALEMAN (Ecuador) said the family, as well as the State, played a part in establishing parameters for the well-being of the elderly. He stressed that women had a longer life expectancy than their male counterparts and more attention should be paid to their situation. Poverty was a mandatory topic if issues concerning the elderly were to be discussed, he noted. Ecuador was now going through its most severe period, because of ensuing conflicts and prolonged indebtedness. In Ecuador, neither pension schemes nor the health-care system had universal access for citizens over 65 years.

Recently, the Ministry of Social Welfare had created a bureau -- the National Department of Gerontology -- to develop programmes linked to aspects of the ageing population, he continued. Other national initiatives included the introduction of a new law dedicated to providing secure access to a standard of living, health care and food, among others. In April 1999, a network to integrate initiatives and projects for senior citizens had been established that included both private and public organizations. Ecuador welcomed international initiatives to establish a long-term strategy to face the challenges of an ageing population. His country strongly supported a Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002.

ABDEL RAHIM KHALIL (Sudan) said care for the elderly in his country revolved around the concept of concerted social responsibility and was predicated on the view that the family was responsible for providing care to its citizens, particularly the elderly. All religions in the country held older persons in high esteem and placed them on a pedestal. Elderly women had a remarkable and important role -– they conveyed wisdom and heritage to succeeding generations and contributed to their upbringing. Elderly women were also known for their role in battles for independence and the rights of women. A national committee to oversee organs working in the field of older persons had also been set up. There was also draft law on care for the elderly. The final text would be worked out and elaborated by the end of this year.

He said the elderly were the most vulnerable group in society and needed the attention of both family and Government. Wars directly affected the provision of that group's needs. In that respect, he cited needs such as health care, nutrition, clothes and food. There was a need to raise awareness on the status of the elderly during war and to provide an atmosphere of tranquillity for them. Gaps between developed and developing countries were widening. That was the challenge that needed to be faced in light of "the facts before us", he said. It was, therefore, necessary to create a just international social order that did not differentiate between the rich and the poor.

BELINDA MANAHAN (Philippines) said that as her country launched its Plan of Action for Older Persons today, marking the culmination of a year-long celebration of the International Year of Older Persons, the needs and problems of that sector ranged from family finances to a perceived decline in respect for the elderly. She cited also an increase in the proportion of degenerative diseases among older persons, an environment that had been "planned largely for young people", lack of basic social services, a high illiteracy rate and the unscrupulous market practices to which older persons were becoming increasingly at risk.

She described national legislation that had established 201 senior citizen centres nationwide. These were managed by the local senior citizens themselves. Her Government also provided older persons with various programmes and services, including skills training and capital assistance for income-generating activities; substitute family care for abandoned, neglected and homeless older persons; and after-care and follow-up services for those discharged from residential care facilities. It placed a premium on keeping the family intact as the main source of care and emotional support for the older person, and the basic unit responsible for preparing the younger generation for ageing. However, poverty hindered the provision of adequate care and support to older persons. In response, critical partnerships were needed among local and national governments and civil society, to maximize resources and direct them to areas of greatest need.

SERGEY KISELEV (Russian Federation) said that the retired people in his country comprised 20 per cent of the population. The International Year took place against the backdrop of measures constantly adopted by the Russian Government to strengthen legal guarantees, reform the pension system, improve health care and develop the network of social security institutions for senior citizens. Activities within the framework of the Year had been supported by Russian NGOs and mass media. They showed great readiness to involve older persons into an active socially -oriented activity, taking into consideration demands of elderly readers, radio listeners and tele-spectators.

The three problems most common among Russia's elderly were the deterioration of health, low income and loneliness, he said. Old-age-related social risks increased under the conditions of the economy in transition. His Government was doing its best to mitigate the social impact of the economic and financial crisis upon older citizens. It was taking urgent measures to raise pensions, promote pension reform, and develop a social policy for older persons for the period up to 2005. The United Nations should pay greater attention to the situation of older persons in its technical assistance projects for countries with economies in transition.

MICHAEL POWLES (New Zealand) said his country’s general theme for the International Year had been “valuing older people”. The theme’s objectives had been to promote positive attitudes to ageing and older people and to prepare for an ageing population.

His country’s activities during the International Year had been conducted during three different dates. The first took place on 1 February, and its theme had been “Valuing the contributions of older people”. Activities on that date had focused on productive ageing. That had coincided with his Government’s removal of the upper age limit in the human rights legislation. The latter was crucial, because it prohibited discrimination in the workplace on the basis of age.

The second date of activities conducted on 15 May had focused on the theme “Valuing relationships between young and old”, he said. That date had coincided with the United Nations International Day of the Family. The main event had been the launching of the LinkAge handbook for developing and maintaining inter- generational programmes. The third date of activities for the Year had been conducted on 1 October, when the “value of older people” had been the focus. That day was marked by local celebrations, displays and events.

His Government had supported projects with a focus on positive ageing by funding 24 community organizations, he said. It had further produced and distributed over 20,000 information kits on ways in which older people could contribute to the community. In addition, a Web site had been established to provide information about the national strategy for the Year.

IVAN SIMONOVIC (Croatia) said demographic ageing was not a curse, but a blessing in disguise. His country welcomed the impact of the ageing society on the family, as well as on the country as a whole. He added that since the launch of the Plan and during the International Year for Older Persons, the view of the elderly as a burden had been changed to a perception that they were beneficial to the society.

Croatia had formed a National Committee on Ageing to commemorate the Year, he said. In that context, the Committee had convened a conference focusing on the training of care providers for the aged. He emphasized that Croatia's situation of having to cope with internally displaced persons required that special attention be paid to facilitate the elderly on their return and to assist them in the resumption of their ways of life. The country was also in the process of implementing social care policies that envisaged the provision of quality health care and good housing facilities, he added. AKMARAL KH. ARYSTANBEKOVA (Kazakhstan) welcomed the United Nations programme on ageing that was engaged in the ongoing formulation of a policy framework for a society for all ages. The evolving policy framework encompassed four aspects of great importance -- the situation of older persons, lifelong individual development, multigenerational relationships in families and communities, and the macro-societal implications of ageing. That framework had given rise to a proactive and positive exploration of ageing in the context of its influence on the socio-economic and cultural landscape of the society.

She said that Kazakhstan had made significant progress towards the implementation of the action plans of the global United Nations conferences through the development of a socio-economic policy framework to foster sustainable economic growth. One of the main tasks was to create a broad and reliable system of protection of the population’s socio-economic health. In that regard, a presidential programme had been created to formulate strategies to stimulate population growth, to further improve the health and well-being of all citizens, and to provide for an increase in longevity of the population through the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

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