Advancing the Human Rights of Older Persons : UN Convention Status Update


human rights oct 3 2024 promo image


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Resources

ORGANIZATIONS

GAROP LINKS

ENGAGEMENT

  • 2024 UNIDOP on “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide   www.webtv.un.org
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When:

October 3, 2024
9 AM to 10:30 AM Pacific /
12 PM to  1:30 PM Eastern

Canada has a long-standing history of leading Human Rights movements (starting with the 1948 UN vote to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - a promise of freedom, equality and justice for all). Today older adults represent the fastest growing demographic , yet we know that they do not enjoy the same protections as others.

In May 2024, during the proceedings of the Open Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA14), a momentous step was taken, by Member States, to adopt a Resolution which includes the Recommendation to begin drafting a legally binding instrument, centered on the rights of older persons. This is a huge win and vital step towards ensuring older adults' voices are heard and that their rights are protected globally. As we begin a new chapter in building a world where everyone can live with the dignity and respect they deserve as they grow older, we invite you to join us and be part of the dynamic conversations underway.

CNPEA and EAPO are proud to work with our partners to bring you this next in a series of webinars, to enlighten and update us all about what has transpired and how each of us can and must participate in helping bring the convention to fruition.

Please REGISTER today, to secure your seat and hear from our distinguished guest speakers immersed in this important work as together we advance our goal of Protecting the Human Rights of Older People. 

Webinar provided with an ASL Interpreter

Speakers

amal abou rafehAmal Abou Rafeh
Chief of the Programme on Ageing Section, Social Inclusion and Participation Branch Division for Inclusive Social Development, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, New York

Amal Abou Rafeh is Chief of the Programme on Ageing Section at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in New York. She serves on the Secretariat of the General Assembly’s Working Group for the purpose of strengthening the protection of the human rights of older persons. Amal is a member of the Steering Committee of the Titchfield City Group on Ageing-related Statistics and Age-disaggregated Data. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Healthy Ageing and Longevity 2020-2021.

Amal joined the United Nations in 2001, working in the areas of social policy, sustainable development and demography, and served on the Secretariats of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002) and the High-level Meeting on Youth (2011). She held positions in Beirut and New York. Before joining the United Nations, Amal lectured on analysis of social and demographic data. Amal was born in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and holds a Master of Science in Population Studies from the American University of Beirut.

frances z qm4b2dgk1z552ixg0beot6xixzgx5ortod98rfvckkFrances Zainoeddin

Frances Zainoeddin, worked at the United Nations from 1970-2001, represents the International Federation on Ageing, Gray Panthers and Soroptimist International at the United Nations, and is the Vice-Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing in New York, serving as an Ex-Officio Member with the GAROP Steering Group. 

She represents the Stakeholder Group on Ageing at the UN, on sustainable development issues, particularly in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. She is actively advocating for an international convention to protect the rights of older persons.

 
 
ellengraham picEllen Graham, Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP)

Ellen Graham is currently the Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP), a unique coalition of over 400 NGOs world-wide, focused on campaigning for the human rights of older persons and specifically for a new UN convention on the rights of older persons. 
Previously she has worked as an analyst for the UK government and a senior policy adviser for the New Zealand government. She was also the EU Policy Adviser managing HelpAge International’s Brussels office for seven years where she was responsible for influencing EU policy on humanitarian aid and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, mobilizing HelpAge’s EU network, and managing relationships with a range of stakeholders. Ellen has extensive experience in developing and managing diverse networks sharing a common purpose. She has been advocating for the human rights of older people for almost 15 years. 
She participated in the UN’s Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing sessions between 2013 and 2024 and more recently in Human Rights Council meetings in Geneva between 2022 and 2024. Ellen manages the Secretariat of the Global Alliance, coordinating the collective advocacy and campaigning activities of its members and working with a variety of partners on joint initiatives. 

mgillis picMargaret Gillis, Founding President of the International Longevity Centre Canada

Margaret Gillis is the founding President of the International Longevity Centre Canada, a human rights based organization, and Co-President of the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance, which is an alliance of 16 Centres around the world dedicated to the needs of older people. She is also a “Community Ambassador” for Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario an organization providing education, training and information on elder abuse. 
An award winning executive and innovative leader, Margaret played a key role in establishing the Age-friendly Community Program in Canada and internationally. Other career highlights include the establishment of the “Canadian Coalition Against Ageism” a nation-wide social change movement to combat ageism. 
Margaret has strong credentials in regard to human rights, working with and speaking at the UN General Assembly on behalf of older people. Margaret has been actively working for a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons in Canada and internationally. With a background in health promotion, protection and programming, Margret is committed to improving the rights of older people. 

martahajek sep2019 cropMarta Hajek, CEO, Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario

Marta Hajek, is the CEO of Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario and feels privileged to be leading a modest, but extremely dedicated staff complement, supporting older adults and service professionals alike, when addressing the complexity of issues of EA. Under her stewardship EAPO continues to expand its circle of strategic partnerships across both national and international spectrums.
As Director of Operations, she helped facilitate the rollout of ON 211, now a national information and referral service engaged in the human services sector.
Marta continues to serve on the Seniors Expert Advisory Committee with the ON Securities Commission, as a Board Director with the Canadian Network for the Prevention of EA, is an elected member to the Steering Group of the Global Alliance the Rights of Older Persons (GAROP) and is through EAPO a founding partner of the Canadian Coalition Against Ageism (CCAA).
In May 2024, Marta once again addressed the United Nation’s Open Ended Working Group on Aging as part of the CCAA delegation, advocating for the protection of human rights of this fastest growing demographic and calling for the declaration of a UN convention for the Rights of Older Persons.