NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS
Press Release
NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS
19991006Note 5582 Third Agequake Debate tO Take Place at the United Nations
New York, 9 October -- The third in the series of four "Agequake" Debates, titled "Generations of Peacemakers" will be held at the United Nations Headquarters on 12 October 1999. The Debate will focus on peace, it will ask the following questions and look for practical answers. Is there a way for older persons to participate more fully as protagonists in the name of peace, working with the young, creating shared perspectives? What can be achieved? Can older persons committed to the cause of peace, make a viable difference? Can society and influential organizations give older persons a substantive role and a strong voice?
Six experts will participate in the Debate which will be moderated by Diane Davis, President, International Caring Communities Council, the panelists include: the Right Reverend James H. Ottley; Kevin Kennedy, Chief, Peace and Security Section, Public Affairs Division, United Nations Department of Public Information; Karalenne Gayle, Office of the General Counsel, New York Stock Exchange; Gouri Sadhawani, Hague Appeal for Peace Foundation; and Marcella Bakur Weiner, Marymount Manhattan College, New York.
The "greying of the planet" is no surprise to demographers, poll- takers or politicians. Every month one million people turn 60 years of age. Dealing with demographic change is a growing focus of national policy or at least national concern worldwide. "One cannot perform plastic surgery on demographics", says Julia T. Alvarez, Alternate Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations. According to Mrs. Alvarez, a leading spokesperson on ageing issues at the United Nations, population ageing is a worldwide phenomenon and the world is experiencing an "Agequake".
In an effort to spotlight some of the ageing issues, the New York Non-Governmental Organizations' Committee on Ageing, in cooperation with the United Nations and with the support of the United Nations Consultative Group for the International Year of Older Persons, has planned the Agequake Debates as part of the observance of the International Year of Older Persons 1999. The debates are dedicated to Mrs. Alvarez, whose efforts and belief in the new and dynamic concept of meaningful ageing has helped to make the International Year a reality.
The International Year is the culmination of years of efforts by the United Nations and Mrs. Alvarez. The World Assembly on Ageing in Vienna, Austria, in 1982, produced the International Plan of Action on Ageing, that was adopted that same year by the United Nations General Assembly. In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the Principles for Older Persons, and designated 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons. During the same year, the United Nations General
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Assembly adopted a resolution initiated by Mrs. Alvarez, which called for the International Year of Older Persons to be observed in 1999. She chose 1999, believing it would symbolize the end of an era of old ideas and the birth of a new perspective on ageing.
The third debate will be held on 12 October, in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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For further information, please contact Ms. Shala Mokgethi, Development and Human Rights Section, UN Department of Public Information, tel.: (212) 963-8104 and Fax: (212) 963-1186.
For media accreditation, please contact Media Accreditation Unit, UN Department of Public Information, tel.: (212) 963-6934 and Fax: (212) 963 -4642.