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Introduction 

In April 2002, delegates of more than 160 governments, intergovernmental institutions and NGOs came together at the United Nations Second World Assembly on Ageing in Madrid, Spain, in order to revise the Vienna Plan on Ageing and establish a long-term strategy for aging populations. 

The Assembly’s outcome document, the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), commits governments to integrate the rights and needs of older persons into national, as well as international, economic and social development policies.

As part of the follow-up to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, ECOSOC and the General Assembly designated the Commission on Social Development to integrate the different dimensions of population aging into its work and to give priority to MIPAA implementation and follow-up. 

In 2003, the Commission on Social Development decided on a bottom-up approach to review and assess MIPAA. The bottom-up approach is an “open-ended, participatory process that seeks to incorporate and link local and national activities to UN regional intergovernmental bodies and up to global level of the review and appraisal.” Experts acknowledged that the bottom-up approach depends largely on the “degree of commitment of authorities.” In 2004, the Commission agreed on a 5 year “review and appraisal” cycle for the Madrid Plan. 

Beginning with its forty-fifth session (February 2007), the Commission enters into a “two-year policy and review cycle.” For the 5 year evaluation of the Madrid Plan, this means that the 2007 session only initiates the review. Therefore, aging advocates must wait until 2008 for most factual  government reports. It is possible that UN organizations and NGO’s may offer recommendations to the Commission during the 2007 session which could positively influence policy implementation in 2008.

Aging Watch follows major aging-related events during Commission meetings and will report on any adopted resolutions.

Background Document

Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002)
More than 160 UN Member States adopted the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) in April 2002. Later, the General Assembly affirmed the Plan on December 2002 during its 57th session. The  document addresses four major areas of concern: older persons and development; health and well-being into old age; enabling and supportive environments for ageing; and implementation and follow-up. While MIPAA asks governments to integrate the rights and needs of older persons into national and international economic and social development policies, the plan is not legally binding. Therefore, MIPPA relies on each government’s willingness and capacity for implementation.

Reports and Resolutions

The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing requested the Commission on Social Development to integrate the different dimensions of population ageing in its work, and to give priority to consider MIPAA implementation and follow-up. As the key UN body in charge of MIPAA follow-up, the Commission passes important resolutions and receives evaluating reports on the action plan by the UN Secretary General. 

 NGO Reports | UN Reports | Resolutions 

NGO Reports and Media Articles

GAA Commission for Social Development Roundtable: Disappearing Pensions in Rich Countries (February 13, 2007)
On February 13, 2007, Global Action on Aging hosted a roundtable discussion during the Commission for Social Development focusing on “Disappearing Pensions in Rich Countries.” The roundtable discussed the problems of the pension systems in the UK and the US and the ongoing assault on social benefits. Amb. Cho Hyun describes the challenges facing the Republic of Korea’s pensions; Mark Levinson highlights the US system, Robin Blackburn proposes ways to move toward a global pension and Barbara Bowen addresses the political challenges and possibilities for putting pensions on national agendas. 

World: Social Protection – an Effective Tool to Fight Inter- generational Poverty (February 2007)
This article by Global Action on Aging’s  Alischa Kugel and Jennifer Nazareno, gives an overview of the effective use of social cash transfers in combating intergenerational poverty. The article also recaps presentations given by experts on the issue during a UN Roundtable at the Commission for Social Development and discusses challenges that must be overcome. 

Governments Urged to Tap Potential of Overlooked Social Groups in Drive to Create Equitable Societies with Rights, Opportunities for All (February 13, 2007)
In this session governments went back over their commitment to implement the Madrid Plan on Ageing. Countries like Monaco, Cuba, Paraguay, Brazil, Cameroon, and Zambia described their efforts to provide health care access, social pensions and to assure older people their rights and dignity. Several organizations also attended this meeting: HelpAge International, the ILO, International Federation on Ageing, UNESCO, and the American Association of Retired Persons. They proposed reforms that could be easily followed with a bottom-up approach to reach a “Society for all Ages.” Here are some enhancements they suggested: specialization of health services in gerontology and geriatrics, anti-discrimination laws for older workers, legal recognition of the informal sector and better participation of older persons in implementing policies.

Commission for Social Development Focuses on Vulnerable Groups As It Considers Shifting Demographics, Inter-Generational Trends. Delegates Discuss Ageing, Young, Older People; ‘World Youth Report’ Presented (February 12, 2007)
During the Forty-fifth session on the Commission for Social Development, international experts, scientists, country representatives and specialists on ageing discussed the main achievements and obstacles to the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. Adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing, held in Madrid in 2002, the Plan of Action recognized the potential of older persons to contribute to the development of their societies and committed Member States to include ageing in all social and economic development policies. Demographic transitions, social protection, access to health and social services and issue of ageism were among the many concerns addressed during the panel discussion. For complete statement by the Commission, refer to the report.

UN: Promoting Decent Work for Families: The Search for Effective Practices (February 7, 2007)
Many people have no access to “decent work.”  What, then, are effective practices to guarantee such decent work?  This panel, composed of Florence Denmark, Zahra Nuru and Stefani Ankins, addressed this question in this side event of the Commission for Social Development.  Together, they attempted to determine ways toward getting decent work.

UN Reports

Major Developments in the Area of Ageing since the Second World Assembly on Ageing – Report of the Secretary General (November 21, 2006)
Highlighting major developments in the field of aging since UN Member States adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing in 2002, this report addresses several issues. The Secretary General mentions the “sustainability of social protection systems, older workers’ participation in the labour market, approaches to adjusting the health and care services.” In regards to social protection, the report presents the current reform efforts in rich countries as positive, emphasizing that no large-scale cut back or dismantling of public programs has yet occurred. The report also highlights the use of social pensions in an increasing number of poor countries as an effective tool to fight poverty among older persons and their families. The report cites arguments against the notion that social protection is unaffordable for poor countries. In addition, the report mentions the growing movement for the establishment of social protection programs in key donor countries. 

Promoting Full Employment and Decent Work for All -
Report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.5/2007/2) (November 9, 2006) 
This report includes a small section on older persons. It states that older persons “should have the opportunity to work or to have access to other income-generating opportunities,” free of discrimination, “as well as to determine when and at what pace to withdraw from the labour force.” The report further says that countries should provide for pensions and health care so that older persons are not forced to work for their survival. The report goes on to acknowledge the value of older persons as caregivers, for example in the African HIV/AIDS crisis and suggests, rather passively, that these efforts “could be further supported by targeting older persons with regular income transfers or pensions.” 

Resolutions

Modalities for the First Review and Appraisal of the Madrid
International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002 – Draft Resolution by the Commission (E/CN.5/2007/L.4) (February 13, 2007)
Focusing on the actual Madrid Plan review session in 2008, this draft resolution encourages governments to step up efforts to facilitate MIPAA implementation if they have not done so. The resolution further calls on greater cooperation between all stakeholders and invites “interested Governments to offer support and assistance, including voluntary financial contributions, to support national and regional review and appraisal activities.” 

Events

Civil Society Forum
 (February 6, 2007)

Members of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) gathered at the Civil Society Forum to draw up a common platform to present to the Commission for Social Development. Embracing a broad variety of constituencies, especially vulnerable groups, the Forum gave NGO’s a chance to engage, debate, mobilize and strategize on common action and advocacy at the Commission.

Drawing on NGO input from thematic and regional roundtable discussions, the Forum’s Coordinating team will put together an advocacy document on effective practices in securing jobs and decent work in UN Member countries. The Coordinating team will present the document to Member States during the 2008 Commission on Social Development, asking governments to consider the recommendations.

In the 2007 session, the Forum’s Coordinating team asked Global Action on Aging to facilitate the thematic roundtable discussion on aging. The roundtables’ participants made several interventions on behalf of older workers and their families. These interventions included (1) Social pensions as a key pillar of decent work for persons of all ages, for marginalized workers and for those working in the informal sector, and (2) Social protection as a key stimulus for employment, thus decreasing intergenerational poverty. 

Click here for the Gallery of the event. 

 Universal Benefits:
Delivering Rights and Reducing Poverty
 (February 8, 2007)

This event will explore the social and economic impact of regular cash benefits to older people and to children. The speakers will engage in a debate on how social protection can be better integrated into national policies. The discussion will include how social protection supports the achievement of the Copenhagen commitments, the MDGs, the Decent Work Agenda and the Millennium Declaration.

Chair: Richard Blewitt, CEO, HelpAge International

Discussants: Timo Voipio, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland; Gaspar Fajth, Division of Policy and Planning, UNICEF 

Click here to access the Gallery of the event. 

New Consensus on Comprehensive Social Policies for Development in a Globalizing World 
(February 9, 2007)

During the 45th session of the Commission for Social Development, the Finnish Mission organized a roundtable to discuss the Kellokoski meeting, held in November 2006. This meeting had gathered social and employment policy experts from several governments and organizations. It produced a “new” consensus on social policies that apply to both Southern and Northern countries. This new political consensus reaffirmed the Copenhagen agreement - reached in 1995 - to attain better and more equitable development in a globalizing world.

Host: Mission of Finland at the United Nations. 

Speakers: 
Partners:
 -  Mr. S. Jehoma, Republic of South Africa
 -  Mr. Anis Dani, World Bank
 -  Ms. Judith Kaulem, Zimbabwe, ICSW
 - Ms. Isabel Ortiz, UN-DESA. 
Discussants: 
 -  Ms. Ylva Sörman Nath, Sida, Sweden
 -  Mr. Ruediger Krech, GTZ, Germany/EU presidency

The event will explore responses to implementing the Madrid International Plan of Action; with a focus on citizen actions, government responses and UN responses. New information on older citizen based follow up processes will be shared. The dialogue will lead to recommendations for next steps in the implementation process. 

Chair: Dr. Alexandre Sidorenko, UNDESA 

Speakers: 
Sylvia Beales and Tavengwa Nhongo (HelpAge International)
Reports from older citizens from Kenya, Uganda, Serbia, Vietnam and Moldova - Access the Presentation here.

Susanne Paul, Global Action on Aging 
Building the movement for action on MIPAA - Access the statement here. 

Ed Ryan, AARP 
US citizen perspectives 

Discussion and commentary 

Governments                                    
Ms Anne Ambwere, Kenya
Mr. Rüdiger Krech, Germany                   

Regional Commissions 
Ms Eve line Hoenigsberger, UNECE 
Mr Jose Miguel Guzman, UNECLAC 
Ms Thelma Kay UNESCAP 

UN agency responses to MIPAA commitments 
Mr Bob Huber, UNDESA 
Ms Ann Pawliczko, UNFPA   

What happens to older persons when public and private employers reduce or abandon pension programs? What can be done? How do these developments impact older persons around the world?

Global Action on Aging asked experts and speakers from Universities and Unions, affected government leaders, relief agencies and local NGOs to answer these tough questions. 

Click here to access the Roundtable leaflet and here to view the Gallery of the event.   

Access the Presentations
Greetings and Introduction
Susanne Paul, President, Global Action on Aging Jürgen Stetten, Friedrich Ebert Foundation
Ambassador Cho Hyun, Deputy Permanent Representative, Republic of Korea
	Ppt
Mark Levinson, Senior Fellow, Economic Policy Institute
	Pdf
Robin Blackburn, Professor, Essex University (UK) and New School University (US)
	Ppt
Barbara Bowen, President, Professional Staff Congress, CUNY, American Federation of Teachers
	Pdf
Summary of the Roundtable's presentations and discussions