Older people across four continents will meet government representatives today as part of a global campaign on 1 October, the UN International Day of Older Persons, to demand improvements in ageing policies and practices in their countries.

Older people’s organisations and groups from more than 24 countries will join together as part of Age Demands Action, the first ever global coordinated action by older people to enact change. HelpAge International is launching the worldwide campaign to raise awareness of the unique problems faced by older people, and to ensure Governments meet the goals of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), a declaration agreed by 159 UN member states five years ago (2002), setting out how the issue of ageing will be addressed.

“Whether it is a grandmother in Africa caring for her grandchildren after their parents have died of AIDS or a grandfather in India continuing to work to support his extended family, the vital role of older persons is seriously underestimated by governments and others all around the world,” said Richard Blewitt, Chief Executive Officer of HelpAge International.

Delegations of older persons will meet with top leaders in Bangladesh, Dominica, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Nepal, Philippines, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe and a Latin American Regional Delegation comprising of representatives from Peru, Colombia and Bolivia.

Globally, older people are calling for recognition of the vital role of older persons in society and a package of universal non-contributory pensions, health care focused on the unique needs of older men and women, and anti-discriminatory legislation for all older persons worldwide. The campaign is being supported by politicians, celebrities, artists and musicians; including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

 “The proportion of older persons (over 60s) is growing faster than all other age groups on every continent, and by 2050 one in five of the world’s population will be an older person.  Currently, an estimated 100 million older people live on less than a US$1 dollar a day and are amongst the poorest and most marginalized group in many countries. Unless governments act now to create age-friendly policies, the situation of the world’s older people will only deteriorate,” said Blewitt.

Notes to Editors
HelpAge International has a vision of a world in which all older people fulfil their potential to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives. HelpAge International is a global network striving for the rights of disadvantaged older people to economic and physical security; healthcare and social services; and support in their caregiving role across the generations. For more information about the work of HelpAge International, please visit our website www.helpage.org

For further information, interviews, case studies, photographs and video footage contact:
Faith Mall Media Officer, HelpAge International (press@helpage.org)
Tel +44 207 278 7778 x 286
Spokespersons
In London:
Richard Blewitt, Chief Executive Officer, HelpAge International
+44 207 278 7778
In Nairobi
Dr Tavengwa Nhongo, HelpAge International Regional Representative for Africa
+ 254 20 4444 289
In Thailand
Eduardo Klein, HelpAge International Regional Representative for Asia Pacific
+ 66 53 894805
In Bolivia
James Blackburn, HelpAge International Regional Representative for Latin America
+ 591 2 2410583
In Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Eppu Mikkonen-Jeanneret, South East Europe Regional Programme Manager   
+ 386 1 421 07010