International Day of Older Persons

(Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment)

WHAT

Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment flagged off a “Walkthan” for older persons and senior citizens to mark the International Day of Older Persons.

The Walkthan was organised by the National Institute of Social Defence in collaboration with Confederation of Senior Citizens Association of Delhi.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

• On the International Day of Older Persons, every year since 2005 the mass awareness event “Walkthan” is being organised by NISD.
• The Ministry felicitates senior citizens and older persons by conferring ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’ every year.

 

THEME

• 2019 Theme: “The Journey to Age Equality”
• The 2019 theme is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal-10.

The 2019 theme aims to:

• Draw attention to the existence of old age inequalities.
• Bring awareness to the existing — and preventing future — old age inequalities.
• Explore societal and structural changes in view of life course policies: life-long learning, proactive and adaptive labour policies, social protection and universal health coverage.
• Reflect on best practices, lessons and progress on the journey to ending older age inequalities and changing negative narratives and stereotypes involving “old age.

 

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS – 01 October

• On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons.
• Older people have always played a significant role in society as leaders, caretakers and custodians of tradition.
• The International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions that older people make to society and raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges of ageing in today’s world.

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Between 2017 and 2030, the number of persons aged 60 years or over is projected to grow by 46 per cent (from 962 million to 1.4 billion) globally outnumbering youth, as well as children under the age of 10.
• Population ageing is poised to become one of the most significant social transformations of the 21st century.

 

Source: PIB

 

READ MORE PIB UPDATES

• Station Cleanliness Survey Report 2019
• Vayoshreshtha Samman – 2019
• Paryatan Parv 2019
• ‘The Gandhian Challenge’