Calls become stronger for more inclusive age companies

“” Each elderly has the right to old“Said one of the main organizers of International Elderly DayArjanita Elezaj.

“” These are not privileges, they are human rights“, She told a meeting at the UN headquarters to commemorate the day, where key questions such as improving opportunities for the elderly participate in civic and cultural life have been debated, as well as health and housing care.

This year’s theme has stressed that the elderly must be designed to play an active role in the motivation of local and global action, aimed at amplifying their voice in the development of policies and an effort to create more inclusive societies.

“The elderly have a life of experiences lived, residence and service with them,” said Elezaj. “It is the architects of communities, movements and institutions that continue to guide us today. However, too often, their voices are unknown. ”

The world is aging

The number of people aged 60 or over has doubled to reach 1.2 billion in the past three decades and is expected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050According to a mission statement by the organizers of the event in New York.

With the increase in world life expectancy, the number of people aged 80 and over is expected to exceed the number of infants by mid-2030.

“We must respond with foresight and action. Secretary General António Guterres in his message for the day.

“Emergency” for an inclusive movement

With a smile and an anecdote, Professor and Dean Emerita of Columbia University School of Social Work, Jeanette Takamura, reminded the public that aging is a universal phenomenon.

“When I spent the last time on this podium, my hair was dark brown and I was one more thumb,” she said.

Now, 26 years later, “I am obviously a shorter thumb with silver hair,” she added.

In her speech, she stressed “the urgency of awareness and increased multigenerational inclusion” to propel a global social movement including and inclusive.

She pointed out that social movements have the most impact when they embrace a wide spectrum and highlighted the need for younger and older generations to learn from others.

“The bases of a social movement were laid down by all the past years,” she said.

“” Let’s exercise wisdom, let’s be agents of social change and expand our tent to welcome the multiple generations of younger people we need as partners and co-creators.“”