|
|
|
Report of Susanne Paul, Global Action on Aging,
Expert Group Meeting on “Older Persons’ Rights,”
Bonn, Germany, May 5-7, 2009
By Susanne Paul, Global Action on Aging
May 5-7, 2009
Germany
Pink and white chestnut trees greeted us when we arrived in Bonn, the host city for a three day meeting devoted to older persons’ rights. The UN’s Department for Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) had invited some 16 people to explore this topic. Sergei Zelenev, chief of the Social Integration Branch in DESA and his colleague Robert Venne from the Ageing Programme, had organized the session with aging experts. Our meetings took place in the high rise tower that formerly housed the offices of the members of parliament of West Germany before the re-united government moved to Berlin. Now the United Nations enjoys the use of this building on the UN campus called Langer Eugen.
Invited persons included Tracey McDonald from Australia, Laura Machado and Alex Kalache from Brazil; Israel Doron from Israel; Bridget Sleap, Silvia Stefanoni and Lindsay Judge from the UK; Ferdous Ara Begum of Bangladesh; Jody Kollapan of South Africa; Lia Daichmann of Argentina, Matthias Meissner, Carola Donner-Reichle and Gabriela Freitag from Germany; and Kate Mewhinney, Irene Hoskins and me from the US.
Participants were asked to identify good national practices to protect older people’s rights and to prevent discrimination, neglect, abuse and violence. In addition, participants identified innovative policy approaches that would enhance the rights of older persons as well as tools that would help build capacity in governments and organizations to assure full enjoyment of human rights by older persons. Besides this, participants were asked to explore various international frameworks for enhancing the rights of older persons, e.g. a possible convention on the rights of older persons, or the possibility of appointing a Special Rapporteur.
As we began our discussions on the first day, the group focused on specific kinds of abuse and discrimination, particularly around caregiving of older persons. National culture affected the shape of programs. In Australia, we were told, surviving older women, tend not to complain but rather endure what is their “lot.” In Israel, on the other hand, available social programs give older people choices and forums to speak about their situation. In South Africa, older people have learned from their struggle against apartheid, an experience that has prepared them to demand fair treatment in old age. We spent much time analyzing older people’s exposure to financial, emotional and physical abuse.
Next, the expert group took up arguments that would support or dispute the need for greater government protection of older persons’ human rights. These lively sessions brought many arguments into play. The group debated whether a Convention (a treaty agreement among governments) or a Special Rapporteur (a UN-appointed expert) would help older people’s situation. A further debate revolved around the value of these strategies: if either were put into effect, would life improve for older people, we asked.
Finally, the Expert group looked at ways to reduce discrimination and abuse of older people. They examined what could be done to change national policies and suggested a number of items for possible inclusion in an international document.
All in all, the Expert Group worked well together and clearly enjoyed the process. Participants gave scant attention to income support in old age or the need for reliable pensions as a “right.” A specific program, social pensions (a non-contributory payment on the basis of age), won endorsement, however.
I served as a co-rapporteur and helped put together the first draft report for DESA staff. During the week of May 12, 2009, Sergei Zelenev and his team were producing their report of the Secretary General on “Follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing”. The ideas and arguments that the Expert Group Meeting debated may be included in this report.
Are we on the way to a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons? Or, to the appointment of a Special Rapporteur? Or another strategy? I feel strongly that action along one of these lines is very desirable.
Global Action on Aging, along with many older people and their worldwide advocates, will continue to urge the UN to take up the cause and press forward.
|
