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Nicolae teaches young people in his village the traditional craft of shoe-making. This is just one way that older people in Moldova are contributing to their communities.
Too often older people are ignored in development policies because they are seen as economically inactive and "worthless". This is not only wrong but also short-sighted.
Wrong because older people offer a huge potential for development – as workers, carers and sources of experience.
Short-sighted because by 2050 there will be more people over 60 than under 14 (1), and 80% of them will live in developing countries (2).
This radical demographic shift requires action now. If we continue to exclude such a resourceful and growing section of the world population, development will not happen.
What do we want?
We want governments across the world to actively include older people in development.
At the national level this means older people being included in policies on poverty, health and fighting discrimination
At the global level, this means governments who donate international aid including older people in their development strategies.
Find out more about what Age Demands Action is calling for.
What are we doing?
On 1 October, International Day of Older People, HelpAge International will coordinate delegations of older people around the world to press for change under the Age Demands Action banner.
Each delegation will meet with their government and deliver specific and deliverable policy asks, all with the aim of including older people more.
Last year the results were fantastic.Older people in Bangladesh secured better access to healthcare, while in Ethiopia they were guaranteed inclusion in government water distribution programmes.
Age Demands Action 2008 looks set to be even better than last year. 36 countries have pledged to take part and put pressure on their governments.
But our work does not stop after 1 October. Throughout the year, wherever the mainstream development agenda goes, the Age Demands Action campaign will follow to ensure older people everywhere are recognsied and included.
Find out more about what's going on in each country.
Find out what you can do to help.
Read more about the successes of the 2007 campaign.
References
(1) World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision Population Database, UNDESA
(2) World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision Population Database, UNDESA
