Difficult Situation of Africa and Countries in Conflict in support of Older People highlighted at Ageing Assembly in Madrid

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In order to help raise children, mothers, fathers and grandparents can choose to stay home on subsidized leave for up to three years. Time spent rearing children also qualifies for a pension, calculated on the basis of previous earnings. Special emphasis is placed on recognizing and supporting multi-generational family models as well. We are convinced that respect for the elderly, recognition of their dignity and promoting their active participation and social self-fulfillment can be effectively incorporated in macro-level policies if those values are rooted in broad support for strengthening the family unit. Our programs are aimed at meeting the special needs of the elderly over the full life cycle. Our basic aim is to promote home care for those who need it, but we also allocate significant resources towards building and operating elder-care facilities and nursing homes.

Our priorities include safeguarding the independence of elderly persons and increasing their active participation in the economy and society. An important aspect of that effort is a guarantee of financial security for as many elderly persons as possible. In fact, 98 per cent of the elderly population receives an old age pension of between 56-60 per cent of average pay. Unfortunately, because of the inherited economic state of the national pension system, 25 to 30 per cent of pensioners are paid very small sums. To address that problem, we launched a pension reform plan in 1998 which has produced a "mixed pension scheme" whereby a fully funded supplementary fund has been created for the young. We are planning to introduce a new full pension system in 2003.

WANDA ENGEL ADUAN, Secretary of State for Social Assistance of Brazil: Issues of ageing must not be treated narrowly. We must look at ageing as a whole and take an integral approach, integrating the economic and social aspects. Economists work in quantitative areas, but in the social area, we take a different approach.

We welcome the full participation of older persons in the development process. We must change our attitudes about older persons -- we must see them as a source of social enrichment for society, not as a handicap. We must also ensure that we respond to the specific needs of older women.

Older persons, who often suffer from poverty or social exclusion, must be allowed to live a dignified life. Brazil tries to invest 21 per cent of its gross national product (GNP) to improving life for all. Infant mortality has dropped from 44 per cent to 43 percent, illiteracy is dropping among older persons, although it is still widespread, and school attendance is improving. In attempting to protect older persons, we are providing better services to them, as well as to the disabled. We have now reduced the number of elderly poor to about 3 per cent.

Brazil has 15 million older persons -- about 8 per cent of its total population. There has also been a 7 per cent drop in infant mortality, which affects these statistics. In 1994, we put into effect a national policy for older persons, with departments to assist and integrate them into society, as well as to develop geriatrics and gerontology.

OHOUOCHI CLOTILDE, Minister of Social Affairs and National Unity of Côte d'Ivoire: In Côte d'Ivoire, the percentage of older persons has increased from 3 to 4 per cent of the population over the period 1988-1998. The Government has always worked towards the well-being of the elderly. Indeed, the Constitution guarantees the protection of children, the elderly and disabled persons. That protection is carried out through a national social pension scheme and a pension scheme for Government officials. Family support is also a duty for the entire community. The elderly live precariously and count on family and community solidarity, but that solidarity is difficult under the current economic circumstances.

The Ministry for Social Affairs and National Unity includes a section dealing with vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and the disabled. Its strategies and policies include setting up of a framework to link grass-roots NGOs with the Government. Various associations and NGOs support the Government. Despite all such actions, much remains to be done. In the national action programme, therefore, improvement of the elderly will be one of the priorities. Despite their relatively small share of the population, the Government grants special attention to the elderly. Those actions should be supported by the international community through solidarity in order to achieve a world in which it is good to age.

JOSEFINA CARBONELL, Assistant Secretary for Ageing in the Department of Health and Human Services for the United States: Looking back, we see visible progress in improving the lives of older persons and preparing for tomorrow's ageing populations. Nations have begun to address the many challenges and recognize the contributions that an ageing population can make to society.

Older Americans comprise a large segment of our population -- one out of every eight of our citizens. And our older population is getting older. As our post-Second World War "baby boom" generation ages, this number is expected to increase even more. By 2030, the population of those 65 and older will represent 20 per cent of the population of the United States.

Our Government is committed to improving the lives of older Americans and their families. That means eliminating discrimination based on age, modernizing our health insurance programme for older persons, expanding prescription drug benefits and preventing disease. We are also committed to protecting older people from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and we urge other nations to join us in this resolve. This includes the promotion of awareness and knowledge of the problems and developing systems to respond to the needs of the abused.

The United Nations theme of advancing health and well-being into old age is similar to efforts in the United States. We are promoting healthy lifestyle changes and heightening public awareness of culturally appropriate health care and social services that focus on disease prevention. We are also urging seniors to stay socially active, especially through volunteering in their communities. The United Nations theme of ensuring supportive environments parallels our efforts to assist family caregivers. In the United States, families provide 95 per cent of care for older persons and those with disabilities.

DAM HUU DAC, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Viet Nam: As a result of the progress achieved in implementing the International Plan of Action on Ageing adopted in Vienna in 1982, the situation of older persons, particularly, health and social services, has been improved in many countries around the world. Older persons were now able to positively contribute to the overall development of society. This is a trend that must be preserved and enhanced by the work taking place in Madrid this week. We must recognize that the skills and expertise gained by older persons during their professional years can enhance the indigenous strength of nations. The cultural benefits of promoting active social participation, interaction and integration of our ageing populations is particularly crucial in a social climate characterized by rapid technological and scientific advances.

We must also recognize inequities in our national strategies for the elderly. Despite many successes, we have to admit that there is a pattern of unfair treatment of elderly persons -- from provision of basic services, to providing late-life employment and health care. We must also address the situation of the elderly in the developing world, where despite efforts to overcome persistent inequities, the widespread poverty and poor health exacerbated by lack of resources continue to hamper their progress. More to the point, we cannot ignore the sad reality that in some parts of the world, together with women and children, older persons continue to fall victim to acts of discrimination, violence and aggression as a result of protracted conflicts. All this confirms our belief that only by fostering international peace in the cause of stability for sustainable development can we provide better services and care for the world's older populations.

At present, Viet Nam is not yet an ageing nation. Still, the number of persons over 60 has been increasing steadily and they now account for some 10 per cent of the population. Our policy on older persons is based on a national tradition of respect for elders and the recognition of their great contribution to the country. Many of Viet Nam's older persons have given their entire lives to the struggle for national independence and the protection of our country -- experiences which are invaluable to younger generations. With that in mind, our programmes for the care of the elderly, including national community health-care programmes, have always been integrated in our socio-economic development initiatives. To enhance the social life of older persons, in 1995, the Viet Nam Association of Older Persons was founded with chapters in all cities and provinces.

PHONGSAVATH BOUPHA, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic: Although population ageing will occur worldwide, it is expected to take place at a faster pace in Asia and the Pacific. The twin processes of reduced mortality and fertility, as well as improved longevity will contribute to this dramatic increase in the proportion of older persons. This rapid ageing, though still in its early stages, has implications for the socio-economic development of countries in the region, including a diminishing labour force, increasing economic dependency and a growing demand for care.

Laos has a total population of 5.2 million, of which 5.1 per cent are aged 60 years and older. In the next 10 years, the country's population is expected to reach 6 million, with the number of ageing people increasing to 5.4 per cent. This demographic change is explained by improved nutrition and health care, which are lowering mortality rates. At the same time, younger age groups are shrinking in size, due to falling birth rates. Progress in socio-economic development, especially advances made in the status of women through education and employment, has reduced the need for large families.

Our older people are a diverse group with a range of abilities and varying levels of responsibility. Usually as people age, their level of productivity diminishes and they require more and more care, due to poor health. However, while the proportion of older people is growing, the number of caregivers within families is declining. The urbanization of societies and the larger number of women entering the labour force are eroding the traditional support system of the extended family for older members.

Thus, the Government must consider appropriate means of solving future problems concerning older persons. While poverty is the greatest obstacle to a secure old age, the Government has recognized that needs and opportunities differ greatly between urban and rural areas. Therefore, sound policies have been adopted and social welfare programmes implemented to address issues about ageing.

SHAHED AKHTAR (Bangladesh): In Bangladesh, the population over the age of 60 has reached 7.2 million and is likely to double in the next 20 years. Life expectancy is increasing on account of improved health services, education and technology. As the country moves towards industrialization, the pattern of employment is shifting. The population is moving from rural to urban areas, creating a social gap, with more and more older persons being isolated in the villages. There is a constitutional guarantee of the well-being of older persons. The Government is giving priority to older persons, especially women, in its socio-economic development programmes.

Bangladesh has introduced social security and welfare programmes for the aged, including old-age pensions, allowances for widows and distressed and deserted women, and housing for the distressed, abandoned and disabled aged. A project is under way to provide medical care, a communication network and recreation for older persons who are lonely and depressed. Such situations arise due to family break-ups and changes in traditional family norms and values. Micro-credit programmes have been successful in alleviating the poverty of women, including older women, and making them economically self-sufficient.

My delegation calls for increased international cooperation, especially for improving health facilities, education and development of an economic support system for the elderly. in developing countries we need to prioritize a plan of action for the ageing which includes: a sound institutional framework; the introduction of universal health care; long-term residential facilities for disadvantaged older persons; research on geriatrics; social security schemes; ensuring equal opportunity for elderly women; promoting NGOs devoted to the welfare of older persons; and above all, exchange of ideas and information on best practices, particularly with developed countries, where the older generation is already enjoying special privileges.

JUNE ASANI-NDELEMENI (Malawi): Malawi has done progressively well in addressing issues of older persons, which constitute 4.7 per cent of the 11 million Malawians. Realizing the complexity of issues surrounding ageing, the Government has created partnerships with the private sector, NGOs and religious organizations. Since the majority of older persons live in rural areas, they should be supported there through family and community institutions.

The Government has already put in place long-term plans to address issues that affect older persons, including a free housing scheme for very poor older persons in rural areas, free farm inputs to households with older persons, improvement of water and sanitation at the community level, and the provision of micro-credit financing to poor rural women. The review of the Wills and Inheritance Act and the introduction of the Land Policy have availed opportunities for older persons to exercise their rights to property and land ownership, particularly for older women.

The most pronounced challenge the Government is facing now is the HIV/AIDS scourge. As more productive people die, older people are left to provide support to orphans. The death of young productive people also means less economic transfers to older persons. The second challenge is the effect of poverty on rural communities, particularly the aged. Older persons find themselves more vulnerable to the shock created by the changing socio-economic environment due to globalization. In order to fully realize the welfare of older persons, family and community-based care should be encouraged as opposed to institutional care. Such an arrangement provides an opportunity to reweave the social fabric and promote inter-generational inter-dependency.

FRANCESCO FRANGIALLI, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization: Our organization is the only agency within the United Nations family headquartered in Spain. The issue of population ageing is particularly significant in the leisure and vacation community. Before the tragedy of 11 September, figures showed that on average, 150 million people over 60 travelled each year. Two thirds of that number travelled in Europe. Travel and holidays taken by older persons have become a major part of the international economy. The leisure sector long ago realized the power in the expression "active ageing".

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