Mainstreaming Ageing: Key Operational Challenges Dr. Ann Pawliczko Population and Development Branch Technical Support Division United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the Millennium Declaration  Millennium Declaration does not specifically mention ageing or older persons  No individual should be denied opportunity to benefit from development, but no specific focus on older poor  Need to establish link between Madrid Plan and MDGs  Madrid Plan – excellent opportunity to mainstream concerns about older persons, especially the poor, into the development agenda and poverty reduction strategies

Madrid Plan  Moved policy ageing issues out of narrow confines of social welfare agenda and into the mainstream of development policy debate  Recognizes benefits older persons can make to society  Sees older persons as a powerful but untapped resource for society  Encourages the involvement of older persons in decisions and actions both to promote development and to enjoy its benefits

UNFPA’s Response to the Challenges of Mainstreaming Ageing  UNFPA guided by ICPD Programme of Action, ICPD+5, Madrid Plan of Action  Focus on integrating ageing into broader development framework  Forward-looking pro-active approach in supporting ageing activities in inter-country and country programmes  Aim: to influence public policy to respond to challenges posed by social, health and economic consequences of population ageing and to meet needs of older persons, with emphasis on the poor and women  UNFPA works in partnership with United Nations agencies and international and national NGOs

UNFPA Operational Response  Promoting policy dialogue and ensuring that development agenda gives adequate consideration to the implications of population ageing  Supporting training of policy makers and programme planners to respond to challenges posed by the consequences of population ageing  Supporting research on population ageing, its socio-cultural aspects and its social and economic implications  Supporting analysis of survey data on poverty and socio- economic vulnerability of the aged  Ensuring that consideration is given to the social and demographic circumstances of the elderly in poverty programmes

UNFPA Operational Response (continued)  Promoting policies that support gender equality of older persons  Supporting qualitative data collection taking into account the voices of the older poor  Advocating for support to family caregivers of elderly relatives and promoting inter-generational solidarity by encouraging dialogue and interaction  Promoting support systems for elderly caregivers of AIDS victims and orphans  Promoting systems to combat discrimination, violence and abuse of the elderly  Supporting analysis of census and survey data on living arrangements of older people and the collection of data on intra-family transfers

Role of Governments  Governments have the primary responsibility for implementing Madrid Plan  Mainstream ageing and the concerns of older persons into national development frameworks and poverty reduction strategies  Formulate national policies on ageing  Implement programmes to address the needs of older persons  Ensure the human rights of older persons

Role of NGOs  Serve as watch-dogs for implementation  Advocate/lobby for needs of older persons  Reach older persons at grass-roots level  Serve as national advisory and coordinating mechanisms on ageing  Support community-based care and older people’s initiatives  Set up networks of older person’s self-help groups  Identify local and community resources  Dispel stereotypes and negative attitudes  Exchange best practices  Mobilize financial resources

Role of the United Nations System  Promote the Madrid Plan  Advocate for the mainstreaming of ageing in development agendas and poverty reduction strategies  Integrate ageing in UN programmes and projects  Facilitate policy dialogue on meeting priority needs of older persons  Inter-agency collaboration  Engage in dialogue with civil society and the private sector  Support research and data collection efforts  Exchange experiences and best practices

Conclusion  Older persons cannot be left behind. They should be part of the development process  Given limited financial resources, it is essential that Governments work in partnership with local communities, national and international NGOs and the international community, including the UN system, in meeting the needs of older persons, especially the poor  Successful implementation of the Madrid Plan will require action at all levels to respond to the demographic changes ahead and to mobilize skills and energies of older persons