Campaigners across the world call on governments to start drafting a UN convention on the rights of older people
From 8 to 14 April 2024, campaigners (that means all of us!) from around the world will gather for a ‘Global Rally’ on the rights of older people. Their message for governments convening in May for the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing is “It’s time to start drafting a convention on the rights of older people.”
Meeting on an annual basis at the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA), UN Member States, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) come together to consider the existing international framework of the human rights of older persons and identify possible gaps and how to best address them, including by considering the feasibility of further legal instruments and measures. In previous meetings, attendees have heard compelling evidence on why a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons is needed.
The Global Rally was established in 2021 as a component of the Age with Rights Campaign organized by the Global Alliance on the Rights of Older Persons (GAROP). GAROP — a network of over 400 members worldwide, including the IFA — was born out of the need to strengthen the rights and voice of older people globally. The Global Rally is a week dedicated to solidarity and advocacy towards a new UN convention on the rights of older people.
How to Participate:
The Global Rally will consist of a series of unique campaign actions in different time zones over a week-long period between the 8th and the 14th of April 2024.
1) Sign the Petition for a UN Convention
Join over 3000 human rights advocates in signing a petition calling on governments to begin drafting a UN convention on the rights of older persons without delay.
2) Write to your National Representatives
We are calling on older people and human rights advocates to contact their national-level government representatives before the next session of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing in May 2024 and request that their government:
(a) Expresses support for the elaboration of a new United Nations treaty on the human rights of older persons;
(b) Instruct their national delegation to the United Nations in New York to advocate for and support the adoption of recommendations that will lead to the commencement of drafting of a new convention as a matter of urgency.
The IFA, with support of our members, has created draft letters to Australian and Canadian federal ministers as well as generic messaging to send to political representatives. Visit the IFA’s OEWGA webpage to access the letters and share with your politicians!
3) Host an Event
Organisers of campaign actions will have full ownership and control of their own events or activities. There is flexibility in the format and style of campaign actions, but all should meet the basic criteria set out below:
- Take place during the week of 8th to 14th April 2024 (or a date near to this)
- Have a clear focus on older people’s human rights and including the meaningful participation of older people alongside appealing to a public audience in all its diversity
- Include a call for a new UN convention to strengthen the protection and promotion of older people’s rights globally
- Include a call to action for participants and supporters to sign and share the global petition launched by GAROP in December 2023
- Clearly profile the Age With Rights slogan and GAROP’s Global Rally 2024 campaign materials
Campaign actions can be small or large, what matters is that awareness is raised about older people’s human rights and an accompanying call to action to sign GAROP’s global petition. Make sure to update GAROP on your activities by completing their online form.
4) Attend an Event
A full list of activities will be published on GAROP’s website shortly. You can also see here for a list of GAROP members and directly contact an organization in your country to learn more about their Global Rally activities.
The Global Rally Summit will be held virtually on 11 April from 9.00am to 10.15am EDT, register here to attend a lively discussion about older people’s rights and the progress towards a new UN convention!
5) Register for the IFA’s Global Cafe with GAROP Secretariat Coordinator Ellen Graham and IFA UN Representative Frances Zainoeddin on 5 April
Join the IFA’s weekly Global Cafe webinar on 5 April at 7.00am EDT for a conversation with GAROP Secretariat Coordinator Ellen Graham and IFA UN Representative Frances Zainoeddin on the Age With Rights campaign: Global Rally. Register here for what promises to be an insightful and inspiring Global Cafe session!
6) Engage on Social Media
Use the hashtag #AgeWithRights in social media posts from 8 to 14 April sharing why a convention on the rights of older persons is important to you. Make sure to encourage your followers to sign GAROP’s petition!
What’s Next?
Between 20 to 24 May 2024, the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA) will host its 14th meeting in New York at UN Headquarters. In previous meetings, attendees have heard compelling evidence on why a convention on the rights of older persons is needed. This year governments will negotiate recommendations about how best to address the gaps in the legal protection of older people’s rights to present for consideration at this meeting. The IFA will be in attendance at OEWGA and will be providing our supporters with updates on meeting progression via social media and our VoltAge newsletter.
Have Questions?
Feel welcome to contact Senior Policy and Project Coordinator Cera Cruise ( ccruise@ifa.ngo ) for more information.