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UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
In 1958 the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) created the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) as one of its UN's five regional commissions. ECA encourages the economic and social development of its member States, fosters intra-regional integration, and campaigns for international support to develop Africa further.
The Commission tries to meet Africa’s special needs of Africa and its emerging global challenges. ECA advocates for poverty eradication, for growth and sustainable development, reversing the marginalization of Africa, and accelerating women’s empowerment.
At the regional level, ECA tries to monitor and report on the progress that African States have made in meeting global and continental commitments. The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing is one of those commitments.
In 2002 ECA and the African Union (AU) adopted the Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Aging, which was developed by the AU in collaboration with HelpAge International.
This plan aimed to help Member States design, implement, monitor and evaluate national polices and programs to meet the individual and collective needs of older people.
Documents | Links Documents
Report: Africa: Organization of African Unity Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing (2002)
In 2002, the Organization of the African Union, with HelpAge International, drafted a policy paper to provide for older persons in Africa. The policy framework emphasizes the difficulties facing the elderly socially and economically and also mentions their key role in caring for their grandchildren whose parents died due to HIV/AIDS. The policy provides goals for states to ensure the old people receive proper health care, social and familial participation, economic access, and respect for themselves and their contributions to society. The authors note the lack of information about elder persons in many African countries and demand that steps be taken to collect data on their status. It also recommends that the AU found an Advisory Council on Ageing to monitor, implement, and follow-up on the recommendations in the plan.
Links
UNECA
Official Website of the Regional Commission.
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