The Madrid Plan of International Action on Ageing sets out a vision and values for a society for all ages. It calls for changes in attitudes, policies and practices, so that the enormous potential of ageing can be fulfilled.

The Plan stresses older people's right to development, calls for an end to age discrimination, and emphasises the need to put ageing at the centre of global development agendas.

The aim of the Plan is to ensure that people everywhere can age with security and dignity, and continue to participate in their societies as citizens with full rights.

It calls for governments to place the specific contributions and concerns of older people in the context of the major United Nations conferences and summits, special sessions of the General Assembly, and review follow-up processes.

Implementing the agreements reached at these events would enable older people to contribute fully to, and benefit equally from, development.

The Plan describes the following as essential:

• promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development
• combating discrimination based on age, and promoting the dignity of older people
• mainstreaming ageing into global agendas
• recognising the ability of older people to contribute to society.

The Plan urges governments to embrace the potential of the ageing population as a basis for future development.

Structure of the Plan

The Madrid Plan lists 33 objectives and 117 recommendations, grouped into three priorities:

• older people and development
• advancing health and wellbeing into old age
• enabling and supportive environments.

Together, the priorities cover 18 areas of concern to older people. The Plan concludes with a section on implementation and follow-up. An accompanying Political Declaration summarises the key issues and commitments by governments that are detailed in the Plan. It is intended that the Plan is used as a practical tool to help policy makers focus on the key priorities associated with individual and population ageing.

Issues covered by the Madrid Plan

Priority 1: older people and development

• Active participation in society and development
• Work and the ageing labour force
• Rural development, migration and urbanisation
• Access to knowledge, education and training
• Intergenerational solidarity
• Eradication of poverty
• Income security, social protection/social security and poverty prevention
• Emergency situations

Priority 2: advancing health and wellbeing into old age

• Health promotion and wellbeing throughout life
• Universal access to healthcare services
• Older people and HIV and AIDS
• Training of carers and health professionals
• Mental health needs of older people
• Older people and disabilities

Priority 3: enabling and supportive environments

• Housing and the living environment
• Care and support for carers
• Neglect, abuse and violence
• Images of ageing

Implementation and follow-up

• National action
• International action
• Research
• Global monitoring, review and updating