UN Declaration

To mark the contributions that older persons make to society, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 1999 as “The International Year of Older Persons”. The theme for the year is “Towards a Society for All Ages,” reflecting the goal of increasing public awareness about the important role that older persons play in all walks of life.

The UN has set out principles for older adults, identifying key areas of concern. The International Year’s primary objective is to promote these principles, which are aimed at enhancing older persons’:

1. Independence: opportunities for work, education or training, and the support required to live at home for as long as possible.

2. Participation: an active role in decision-making and communicating within the family, the community and society.

3. Care: access to health-care based need, and social, legal and other services that enhance personal security, and a safe, humane and caring environment for older persons living in a residence, or care or treatment facility.

4. Self-fulfillment: personal development opportunities, with access to educational, cultural, spiritual and recreational resources.
>5. Dignity: full human rights, including respect for older persons’ dignity beliefs, privacy and security.

To get a head start on what promises to be an interesting and exciting year for seniors around the world, visit the website listed here.