Partners and affiliates taking part in Age Demands Action have sparked considerable media interest. See below for the best bits!

Cameroon, October 2008

"...In Cameroon there are some 960,000 old persons...progress in medicine and the effects of HIV/AIDS on youth populations will lead to a population structure with more old people than before."

According to President Paul Biya old people, "...are not only the guardians of Cameroon's ancestral heritage, traditions and customs, and the memory of the country, but also mediators, counsellors and actors in times of social conflict."

Sowetan, South Africa, 9 October 2008

"Hundreds of pensioners, some with walking sticks, brought Durban to a standstill yesterday when they took to the streets to protest against the abuse of the elderly. They displayed banners and posters which said: " Old people fighting the terrible twins: TB and HIV", "Age is Gold", "Age Demands Action"..."

Guardian Weekly, 6 October 2008

Prince Bengha Martin set up the Regional Centre for the Welfare of Ageing Persons in Cameroon (RECEWAPEC). On the Guardian Weekly website, he says: "Our activities on behalf of our recent campaign, Age Demands Action 2008, have had a positive impact. A delegation of older people from my organisation met with the government and demanded greater support for the older generation. Now the government has plans to establish a national platform on ageing issues that will coordinate all organisations working for older people."

Read more on the Guardian Weekly website. 

Obshestvenniy Rating, Kyrgyzstan, 2 October 2008

"Age Demands Action."

"The delegation included 7 leaders of the Self Help Groups from Leilek region, Jany Pahta village, Balykchi, Bishkek. They highlighted the problems they face and gave a short talk about their group’s activities.

"They also talked about the upcoming meeting with the Parliament where they are going to submit five key tasks:

(1) the adoption of the national strategy on ageing (national concept “Older Generation”) and the law “About Older Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic”

(2) promotion of reforms in the area of social protection of older persons; increase pensions to the level of the minimum consumer basket for all pensioners

(3) provision of access to quality medical services. Establishment of specialized medical services for older people (geriatrics)

(4) Migration issues: take into account those specific needs of older carers looking after grandchildren including with disabilities and

(5) Emergency situations – coping with cold winter in the light of the energy crisis and increasing prices. Support the most vulnerable older persons during the winter.

"They hope that the Government support them and these measures can ensure the economic and secured protection for Older people."

The Reporter, Ethiopia, 4 October 2008

"Discriminations and various forms of mistreatment old men and women endure were the major issues raised when the Ethiopian Elderly Pensioners National Association, together with HelpAge International, a London-based NGO working on the wellbeing of the aged, commemorated the International Day of Older Persons on Wednesday at the Sidst Kilo Conference Centre."

The Africa Monitor, 2 October 2008

"Older people across Africa joined hands together on Wednesday 1 October 2008, the UN International Day of Older People, under the banner of Age Demands Action – a global campaign calling for recognition and support of older people's vital contribution to society."

Read the full story on The Africa Monitor Website

All Africa.com, 1 October 2008

"Older people across Africa will join together on Wednesday 1 October 2008, the UN International Day of Older People, under the banner of Age Demands Action – a global campaign calling for recognition and support of older people’s vital contribution to society."

Read the full story on the All Africa Website. 

 E-moleskining (A blog by Romina Oliverio), 30th September 2008.

"Voices of the aged population around the world are often silenced and/or suppressed. But on October 1, known as the UN International Day of Older Persons, this segment of the global population will unite their voices as part of the Age Demands Action 2008 campaign."

Read the full blog post on Romina Oliverio's site.

The International Herald Tribune, 30 September 2008

"On Wednesday, older people in 36 countries will join together under the banner of Age Demands Action, a global campaign to press for change. They will meet with their national governments to call for improved aging policies and practice in their countries. They will call on the international community to recognize and include older people in responses to tackle poverty, HIV and abuses of human rights."

Read the full story on the International Herald Tribune website. 

IRIN Global, 30 September 2008

"This year, the UN International Day of Older Persons (1 October) , older people in 32 countries will meet their governments as part of Age Demands Action, a global campaign calling for older people to be included in development policies."

Read more about Age Demands Action on the IRIN website.

The Himalayan News Service, 30 September 2008

"A delegation of the elderly will meet with the Prime Minister to highlight matters of concern, they will also seek governmental assistance for their physical and emotional well-being."

Idea Lab, 29 September 2008

"Which group is most affected by today's digital divide? The poor? Those who live in rural communities? The so-called Global South? Women?...
...there is another demographic whose online exclusion trumps all others: the aged."

Read more about Age Demands Action on the Idea Lab website.

Rising Voices (A Global Voices Site), 27 September 2008

"This year, committees from 37 different countries will all take part in the Age Demands Action campaign, including the Muthande Society for the Aged (MUSA) based in Durban, South Africa. HelpAge International asked Rising Voices to train members of MUSA in using blogs to give a personal and intimate look into what it is like to work with elders and advocate for their rights."

Read more about MUSA and ADA on the Rising Voices website

Fiji Daily Post Online, Fiji, 26 September 2008

"The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS), in a joint statement with Help Age International, yesterday said elderly people would observe the special day under the banner of Age Demands Action, a global campaign calling for recognition and support for older people’s vital contribution to society."

Read more on the Fiji Daily Post website