NINETEEN SPEAKERS ADDRESS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AS TWO-DAY FOLLOW-UP TO 1999 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF OLDER PERSONS CONTINUES

Press Release
GA/9625

NINETEEN SPEAKERS ADDRESS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AS TWO-DAY FOLLOW-UP TO 1999 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF OLDER PERSONS CONTINUES

Stressing that the HIV/AIDS pandemic was having a negative impact on the elderly population in Africa, the representative of Namibia told the General Assembly this morning that, due to the fact that they were often left to care for HIV/AIDS orphans, the role of the elderly was not only that of grandparents, but also that of parents and caretakers.

Speaking as the Assembly continued its two-day follow-up to the 1999 International Year of Older Persons, he said efforts must support seniors as they took care of the children left behind in the wake of the disease. Further, he added, although the world was living in the era of ageing, it was uncharted water in terms of what was expected in quality of life. It was, therefore, "incumbent on us to live in a society that does not discriminate against the aged". "We all follow the same path -- it is only a matter of time before we become the aged of tomorrow."

The representative of Mauritius told the Assembly that over the years there had been a growing tendency to overlook the significant contribution of the elderly in the forging of socio-economic development and in helping the world attain an unprecedented level of progress and development. Most of the time, the elderly population, like other vulnerable groups of society, bore the brunt of the harsh realities of socio-economic development or the undesirable consequences related to natural calamities, conflicts and terrors of war.

The representative of Venezuela said society should not characterize the elderly as pensioners, but should see them as both agents and beneficiaries of development. While ageing was a global phenomenon, the rate of the increase in ageing was faster in developing countries and policies needed to be specifically tailored for those countries. There was a need to strengthen families, by repositioning them as an instrument for improving life and the world. Ageing, understood in its integral form, was a process that developed throughout every life. Therefore, preparations and efforts to achieve spiritual, social and economic well-being concerned all generations.

The representative of Monaco said the revered status of older persons had declined over the years, until today that group had become excluded in modern societies. The organization of labour and the

General Assembly Plenary - 1a - Press Release GA/9625 25th Meeting (AM) 5 October 1999

dispersal of families were just some of the factors that contributed to that decline. The types of policies for older persons attested to the fundamental values that a country intended to promote. Policies for seniors should, therefore, facilitate their daily lives by eliminating hardships.

The representative of Jamaica said the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was spearheading acceptance of a draft charter in support of healthy ageing, which was initiated in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization. The charter recognized that patterns of living that enhanced healthy and active ageing were formed early in life and continued throughout the lifespan.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Kuwait, Thailand, Ukraine, India, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Ghana, Costa Rica, Australia, Guatemala, Portugal, Argentina and Iran.

The Assembly will meet again at 3 p.m. to continue its follow-up to the International Year and to take action on a related draft resolution.

Assembly Work Programme

The General Assembly met this morning to continue its follow-up to the 1999 International Year of Older Persons. It had before it the report of the Secretary-General on that issue (document A/54/268) and a related draft resolution (document A/54/L.6). (For background information see Press Releases GA/9622 and GA/9624 issued 4 October).

Statements

MOHAMMAD A. ABULHASAN (Kuwait) said older persons reflected the history of nations. Not all societies and communities suffered from problems related to the elderly. Kuwait had always provided care for older persons. The Islamic religion had ordained Moslems to be gracious and kind to the elderly and to iron out all difficulties and impediments in their lives. The Kuwaiti constitution had provided for elderly citizens by providing social security and health care services.

He said a consultative committee had been established to elaborate a project focused on providing home-care services and formulating policies for older persons. Nursing, home-care and day care services were also provided. The life expectancy of Kuwaiti citizens had increased thanks to services and care provided by the State to the elderly. Reverence for older person had led to a renaissance in the country, including improved nursing homes and hospitals.

ELAWAT CHANDRAPRASERT (Thailand) said there were currently 5.5 million persons who were over 60 years of age in his country. In Thailand, it was traditional for older persons to be highly revered. Since 1982, 13 April had been designated Thailand’s National Ageing Day and currently, due to government- implemented programmes, there were more than 3,000 clubs catering to older people in the country. To observe the International Year of Older Persons, various national activities had been coordinated, including the establishment of the National Coordinating Body on Older Persons to formulate policies and strategies, and the convening of a forum of older persons to allow them to make inputs into policy formulation.

Religious institutions would always play in important role in the lives of the Thai people, he said. As a result, persons in community temples had been encouraged to set up social service organizations for older persons. Also, to celebrate the Year, the Government had decided to, among other things, enact an older persons' law, encourage research studies on the elderly and provide easier access to social services by providing transportation to rural areas. His country would continue to place emphasis on older persons, since they were a repository from which the society drew wisdom.

VOLODYMYR YEL’CHENKO (Ukraine) said the world today was “watching itself turn demographically gray”. The exchange of information and experience at the international level would promote the elaboration of long-term initiatives and strategies on ageing. In the Ukraine, the problems faced by the elderly were necessarily viewed from the gender perspective, as well. The average lifespan difference between men and women had increased substantially, until now women lived on average 12 years longer than men. The ratio of older women in the population was still increasing. Women, however, were poorer than men in old age and often needed more medical attention.

He said his country had taken specific measures to adjust the health care, medical service and social welfare systems to address specific aspect of the problems associated with its ageing population. It had established a national health care programme enabling it to strengthen existing institutions and create new ones responsive to evolving information about its ageing population. The programme provided social benefits as well as health care for the elderly. It encouraged productivity in elders and gave them access to the means and goods for improving the quality of their lives. It also provided for coordination of activities at the central and local levels, as well as with enterprises, organizations and unions that dealt with specific aspects of the problems associated with ageing.

E. BALANANDAN (India) said that the "graying" of society was a natural phenomenon, which called for societal adjustments and reorientation in which everybody could contribute productively for the ultimate benefit of mankind. An encompassing society should be pursued in which the young and the old, and the strong and the weak each obtained equal opportunities for productive contribution, enhanced human relations and fulfillment of aspirations. He quoted the second President of India, S. Radhakrishnan, as saying “Years may wrinkle the skin; the soul is wrinkled if we give up love and loyalty.”

Since 1992, India had promoted the welfare of the aged through a nationwide network of non-governmental organizations that set up and ran day care centres, old age homes, mobile medicare and other non-institutional services. Government financed 90 per cent of the non-governmental organizations'expenditures. Voluntary organizations financed by the government appointed social workers to help the elderly in legal, banking and tax matters, and in getting access to special medical facilities.

Age was, in his country's view, not based on a numerical addition of years, but an integrated process of learning through experience. According to that view, plans and programmes for the elderly should be looked at as an integrated whole, where life-long individual development was fostered. Productive endeavours at later stages in life, greater interpersonal co-relations through new communication technologies, a better and greener environment, greater freedom to travel and seeing other civilizations would make life richer and worth living, he said.

TOVI KARI VIKEN (Norway) said her country's marking of the International Year of Older Persons had been coordinated by a National Committee. The main goal of that Committee was to stimulate activities at regional and local levels. Grants had been provided for innovative and inter-organizational projects. In addition, non-governmental organizations had made substantial efforts to stimulate activities for older persons. The main challenge now was to follow up on the attention and ambitions created by the Year and remain consistent with articulated United Nations principles for older persons. Being old did not necessarily mean being sick and helpless. The promotion of active ageing should be a cornerstone in future efforts. The most important task for her country in respect of ageing would be to increase the capacity of care for frail older persons.

She said her Government had thus embarked on a four-year plan to improve care for elderly persons. The core objectives were: to provide nursing and care services that ensured the elderly a secure, worthy and independent life; to ensure elderly persons could live in their own homes or in sheltered housing for as long as possible; and to ensure that services were available when and where needed. In addition, the tight labour market in her country and the demographic development ahead made it necessary to prevent retirements from the labour force that were too early. The Norwegian Government had, for the benefit of retired persons, recently implemented a significant increase in the minimum pension. LYDA APONTE DE ZACKLIN (Venezuela) said society should not characterize the elderly as pensioners, but should see them as both agents and beneficiaries of development. While ageing was global phenomenon, the rate of the increase in ageing was faster in developing countries. In Latin America and the Caribbean, statistics indicated that the rise in numbers of older persons aged 60 and over would be 14 per cent. Another significant fact, provided by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), was that in countries all over the world ageing was a question of gender. Her region was characterized by widespread poverty, with women being the most vulnerable. It was, therefore, important that their special needs, and especially those of elderly women, be addressed.

She said that policies needed to be specifically tailored for developing countries. The Bolivar Plan in Venezuela was meant to promote an economy that favoured social justice. Within that framework of social action, coordinated actions by both Government and civil society were being carried out to address the needs of all members of Venezuelan society. There was a need to strengthen families, by repositioning them as an instrument for improving life and the world. Ageing, understood in its integral form, was a process that developed throughout every life. Therefore, preparations and efforts to achieve spiritual, social and economic well-being concerned all generations.

CLAUDIA FRITSCHE (Liechtenstein) said that, while the negative aspects of ageing, such as the increased costs of providing social services and benefits, were often emphasized, the valuable contribution that older persons could make to society were often being ignored. The majority of older persons continued to lead healthy and productive lives. That, however, was being threatened due to the widening ratio between older persons and available young caregivers. Governments, therefore, were responsible for designing policies relevant to the care and support of older persons. The workplace was also a critical player in providing support for employees who were caregivers. More women were joining the labour force and that would inevitably lead to conflicting demands placed on women who faced the added burdens of child care, elder care and career.

In Liechtenstein, in observance of the Year, several promotional and outreach activities had been planned, with some yet to be implemented, she said. A brochure had been published aimed at educating older persons of the risks and dangers they faced during everyday life, a multigenerational forum had been initiated to serve as an information tool on the achievement of a good quality of life for all ages and in January 2000 a cross-section of experts from Liechtenstein would meet to discuss problems of ageing.

THORSTEINN INGOLFSSON (Iceland) said an executive committee for the Year had been established in his country in order to plan events and projects. The committee's work had focused on four main aspects relating to the elderly: education; economic matters; social affairs; and health.

One of the committee’s projects had been a study on the standard of living and way of life of senior citizens, he said. The study was based on data that had been collected during the period of 1988 to 1999. According to the study, poverty had diminished considerably among senior citizens during the last 10 years. In addition, senior citizens were very active in the labour market and society in general, compared to neighbouring countries. Furthermore, they followed the mass media, radio and television news programmes more closely than younger people. Also, they were more religious than other age groups, placed more importance on social welfare and had a stronger sense of morality than younger generations.

The conclusion of the study would be used as a basis for future policy- making on matters relating to older persons, he concluded.

BEATRICE ROSA BROBBEY (Ghana) said that migration from the rural areas, where the greater proportion of the aged lived, had adversely affected the patterns of social interaction and relationships within the traditional family system. Consequently, older persons in Ghana were showing signs of loneliness and neglect. Therefore, a society that catered to all ages, as envisaged by the international community, would indeed tailor its structures, policies and plans to meet the needs and capabilities of all, thereby releasing the potential of all, including the aged.

She said the Government had drafted a national policy on ageing, which aimed at promoting the social integration of older persons and their full participation in society. To that end, it was committed to the eradication of poverty among older persons through the provision of income generation and job creation. Moreover, income generating projects targeted at women included employing older women as child care providers in day centres for children, thus fostering inter- generational relationships.

She said the Government had established the first day care centre for older persons and planned to open more centres, to share the responsibility for the care of older family members. It was also considering tax breaks and subsidies to give relief and encouragement to family members who lived and cared for the older family members. It was also necessary to broaden the scope of the social security system, to take care of the huge percentage of the population in the informal sector, such as petty traders, fishermen and farmers. The Government’s policy aimed to promote lifelong learning and healthy life styles, which if properly implemented would offer the youth of today security, autonomy and protection in their old age.

BERND NIEHAUS (Costa Rica) said it must be recognized that society had a historical debt to older persons, along with a recognition of their current value and individual dignity. It was necessary, therefore, to protect them from the challenges of poverty and other ills. In Costa Rica, the varied situations in which those persons found themselves, as well as their contributions to society, had been taken into account when implementing measures and preparing policies relevant to elder care. To celebrate the International Year, a high-level forum had been held, with participation of both the private and public sectors. An analysis of the situation of the elderly had been conducted and, as a result, a national timetable was prepared to set priorities.

One particularly successful venture, he continued, had been the formation of multidisciplinary teams, including health professionals, that formed a network with government and non-governmental agencies. In addition, local committees had been established, in cooperation with the National General Hospital, to care for elderly. Banking and commercial institutions, as well as transportation facilities, had been made elderly-friendly, and identification cards had been issued to provide even greater ease in accessing those services. To culminate the Year, the First Lady of Costa Rica had sent a bill to the National Assembly comprising a consolidation of the efforts made for older persons. The Government hoped that bill would be adopted by consensus.

GEOFFREY PROSSER (Australia) said recognition of the legitimate and valuable role of older people in society was increasingly important, as the average age of the older population increased. On a global scale, more than one in 10 persons were now over the age of sixty.

Stating that shifting attitudes were a fundamental factor in bringing about real change in society, he said Australia had taken its commitment to the International Year of Older Persons seriously. Extensive community consultations had been undertaken across Australia. The themes that had emerged had then been used by the Government to develop a series of practical and innovative initiatives and activities designed to promote, recognize and encourage the role of older people in society. After giving specifics on some of the related projects, he said that at the global level, it was important to ensure that the momentum for change did not cease when the International Year drew to a close. He, therefore, supported the holding of a global meeting in the year 2002 to review the outcome of the first World Assembly on Ageing.

VED PRAKASH BUNDHUN (Mauritius) said that the elderly population, like other vulnerable groups of society, had borne the brunt of the harsh realities of socio- economic development and the undesirable consequences related to natural calamities, conflicts and the terrors of war. At the same time, there had been, over the years, a growing tendency to overlook the significant contribution made by the elderly in the forging socio-economic development and the world's unprecedented level of progress and development.

The activities of his Government commemorating the International Year of Older Persons were designed to sensitize the population on the ageing issue and provide opportunities for the social integration of the elderly. They included the introduction of leisure activities for the elderly, essay competitions on the elderly theme in schools, a trade fair by the elderly to highlight their potential as well as specific services provided by a number of firms in the private sector, such as reduced prices for cinema tickets and nature parks and reserved seats in buses.

He emphasized that, well before the advent of the International Year, the Government had been attentive to the social needs of the elderly and had been providing them with adequate support and protection, including: payment of a monthly non-contributing pension payable on a universal basis to every citizen aged 60 and above and payment of an additional monthly pension to elderly persons who needed constant personal care and attention. In addition, the Government had introduced new policy measures to further consolidate the existing social support schemes, so as to reduce inequalities and provide greater protection to older persons. The ageing phenomenon was expected to have serious socio-economic implications, mainly in terms of increased social security benefits and public sector pensions and increased expenditure on health care and housing. The Government had started to address that complex issue with the preparation of a White Paper on Ageing containing a number of proposals and measures for implementation over the coming years.

JACQUES L. BOISSON (Monaco) said the revered status of older persons had declined over the years, until that group was now excluded in modern societies. The organization of labour and the dispersal of families were just some of the factors that contributed to the decline of the elderly. Among other initiatives, Monaco had issued a special postage stamp to commemorate the International Year of Older Persons. In addition, many special events were developed to commemorate the Year. Policies were formulated to preserve multigenerational solidarity, including events to bridge the generation gap. Policies for older persons attested to the fundamental values that a country intended to promote and those policies should facilitate their daily lives by eliminating hardships. Monaco had established services to allow the elderly and disabled to live at home, or away in special homes if they so wished.

He said apartments were being designed in busy neighbourhoods for the elderly and the disabled, which were located near shops and public transport. For those seniors who needed to be institutionalized, a long-term stay establishment would also be completed very shortly. On the financial side, older persons received a monthly allowance by way of a subsidy, which was now close to the minimum wage. The initiatives he had mentioned were essential, since the ageing of Monaco's population and the drop in the birth rate were particularly marked. The average longevity of women was higher than men. Policies in that respect, therefore, sought to establish living standards that reflected the aspirations of his society.

DENISE ELDERMIRE-SHEARER (Jamaica) said senior citizens currently comprised 10 per cent of her country's population,m and life expectancy was more than 72 years. In recognition of the additional needs of its elderly population, the Jamaican Drugs for the Elderly Programme was instituted for all seniors, regardless of income level. The Programme subsidized the cost for prescription drugs for ailments that were particularly prevalent among the aged and had registered more than 100,000 persons, aged 60 and over. The Jamaican Government remained committed to the advancement of its senior citizens and viewed the observance of the International Year as an opportunity to address deficiencies in policies relating to older persons, and to build collaborative relationships.

She said the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was spearheading acceptance of a draft charter in support of healthy ageing, which was initiated in collaboration with PAHO. The Charter recognized that patterns of living that enhanced healthy and active ageing were formed early in life and continued throughout the life span. Those patterns determined how well one was able to reduce and avoid diseases and disabilities and engage in social and productive activities. Her country had launched the charter on 2 October. In addition, outside of economic concerns, research had identified loneliness and the lack of opportunities for interaction as the main concerns for Jamaica's senior citizens. A programme funded by a non-governmental organization had initiated over 300 projects to address such issues. "Let us not forget those who have accomplished much before us and upon whose shoulders we have built our present societies", she said.

SILVIA CRISTINA CORADO-CUEVAS (Guatemala) said that efforts being made presently to ease the burdens of the elderly were particularly welcome within the indigenous population in her country. However, a great deal still needed to be done. To that end, the Government had recently promulgated an act to protect the interests of the elderly, especially with regard to allowing them easier access to housing, employment and training for a second occupation. Also, The Ministry of Public Health was responsible for providing health services to all Guatemalans. In addition to providing those services, it had eliminated any architectural barriers for easier access by the elderly. At the moment, a legal basis was being laid to allow the prosecution of those who punished or abused the elderly, as well as women and children.

In the indigenous communities in Guatemala, she continued, the organized councils of older persons provided an excellent example of the role and value of older persons in the society. In those forums, they transmitted historical facts and knowledge of traditional medicines, in addition to passing on other important wisdom to the younger members in their communities. The Government was very supportive of that tradition. In commemoration of the International Year of Older Persons, her Government had convened congresses on geriatrics, held grandparent fairs, as well as other activities that culminated last Saturday in a grand event in which Guatemala’s President had participated. Internationally, Guatemala supported the holding of the international meeting in 2002.

FERNANDO RIBEIRO MENDES, Secretary of State for Social Security and Labour Relations of Portugal, said that, as a result of the ageing of the work force, several challenges had arisen. One of those, a factor that had been neglected until now, was that the management of human resources should be focused on age related issues. In addition, the pressures being exerted on pension schemes and public financial resources needed to be taken into account. The Government of Portugal had recently adopted a new policy to accommodate those persons, mostly over 65, whose pensions were lower than the minimum wage. That policy differentiated the yearly increases of benefits to assist the more than 1 million persons who were affected.

The Government had also defined three major areas in its social security system and had placed those policies that involved employment, job training, health, solidarity and social security at the centre of its development model, he added. To enhance the quality of life of older persons in that country, earlier this year the Government had also established a system of cash benefits for older persons depending on their degree of dependency. The autonomy of older persons and the enhancement of the abilities and skills of both families and communities to deal with long-term dependency were the main objectives of Portugal’s new social policies. He stressed his Government's commitment to the cause of the elderly.

MARTIN ANDJABA (Namibia) said that, as long as citizens could participate in the activities of a society, they should be provided with equal opportunities. His country was one of the few that paid an old age pension to its citizens who had reached the age of 60 and continued paying it until their death. While not enough for those seniors in urban areas, it provided income and sustenance for the elderly in rural areas. There were also homes for the elderly, which provided adequate care including health care.

His Government was also considering the possibility of formulating a national plan to address the aged in Namibian society, he continued. It was estimated that by the year 2050, the elderly population would be more than 2 billion and for the first time would be a larger percentage of the population than that of children. Although the world was living in the era of ageing, it was uncharted water in terms of what was expected in the quality of life. Older men and women would require opportunities and support systems, including income generation, social security and health care.

He said the older people of today were the foundation of tomorrow. Their tenacity and courage had made the future safer and healthier. It was therefore "incumbent on us to live in a society that does not discriminate against the aged", he said. "We all follow the same path -- it is only a matter of time before we become the aged of tomorrow." The HIV/AIDS pandemic was having a negative impact on the elderly population in Namibia and elsewhere in Africa. The elderly were left to care for AIDS orphans. In that context, their role was not only that of grandparents, but also became one of parents and caretakers. Efforts must therefore support the elderly, as they took care of the children left behind in the wake of the disease.

FERNANDO PETRELLA (Argentina) said that Argentina in 1948 adopted a Declaration of the Rights of the Ageing, to ensure older persons specific rights, such as food, housing, respect and tranquillity. That initiative constituted an important step for a multicultural society. After the Second World War, great interest was given to human rights through the Declaration on Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions, but the theme of longevity was not an urgent question. Therefore, he reviewed Argentina's efforts to include the theme of older persons in United Nations debates, successfully concluded with the implementation of the International Plan of Action of 1982.

The extension of life expectancy and the decline of the birth rate were creating an unprecedented demographic shift, he continued. Respect for older persons and their integration would be key future issues. Consequently, all aspects of society, at the national and global levels, should accept the elderly as active persons in the development of States. Argentina was involved in a great number of initiatives to support the elderly, some of them mentioned in paragraph 10 of the report of the Secretary General. The issue of the poverty of older persons was a great concern and, in that regard, Argentina assisted the poor by giving them food and health care. He welcomed the efforts to hold another world Assembly on ageing.

HADI NEJAD-HOSSEINIAN (Iran) stated that, despite a global improvement in the quality of life due to advances in technology, economic inequality had become magnified, especially in developing countries, where there had been a dramatic increase in the number of persons living in poverty. Elderly poor women were most vulnerable and deserved particular attention. In many developing countries, particularly in Asia, family support was considered a norm, but that had been undermined by individualization, urbanization and prevalence of a more nuclear family system.

He said Iran had a young population -- persons above 60 years constituted only 6 per cent of the population. However, abiding by its cultural and religious convictions, his country supported the Vienna plan in promoting the status of the elderly. A national body, the Welfare Organization, had established 63 centres that housed and accommodated elderly persons who had no guardians. That organization also provided the elderly with welfare and other support services. In support of the Vienna plan, Iran had launched a series of information and education campaigns, in addition to the "First International Conference on Ageing" to be held during the current month. On the international front, he concluded that Iran fully supported the development of a long-term strategy on ageing for the twenty-first century.

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