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UK Government: We are going to beat ageism
Today the
Government set out its commitment to beating ageism and eradicating older
people stereotypes. Speaking at
the UN Assembly on Ageing in Madrid Ian McCartney, Pensions Minister,
said: "It is over 20 years since the world last got together to
discuss age issues. Time for words is over - it is action that will now
count. So I am delighted that we are moving the age agenda forward. "The UK
Government is planning to take an active role over the next few days in
finding the best way forward for how we internationally will tackle the
challenges of an increasing older population. "The
British Government has not stood still. We have ploughed ahead with a
whole raft of actions and worked with older people to make a real
difference to their lives. "Today I
pledge that we will continue to work at breaking down the stereotypical
attitude towards older people and fight ageism. "I have
two main goals. I hope that in the next 20 years: - there will be
opportunities for all citizens - young and old alike - there will be an
end to discrimination against older people in employment and access to
other public services. "Older
people are not the world's problem they are part of the solution to the
world's problems." Mr McCartney continued: "Ageism is wrong and
the time has come to bin it. "Life
truly begins at 50. And I should know now that as at the age of 50 I have
become a grandfather for the 8th time last weekend."
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PO Box 20022, New York, NY 10025 Phone: +1 (212) 557-3163 - Fax: +1 (212) 557-3164 Email: globalaging@globalaging.org
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