This week, a U.N. panel opens a three-day meeting on the ageing of the global population.It’s part of a process that could lead to a new international treaty to protect the rights of older persons.This is the fifth session of the Open-ended Working Group on Aging.Its focus is on human rights, the care of older persons, violence, abuse and legal and financial issues.Its work could lead to a U.N. Convention on the Rights of Older People.One of the groups driving the process is HelpAge International, which began its Age Demands Action Campaign in 2007.HelpAge Chief Executive Toby Porter explained why he believes a convention is needed for those 60 years of age and older.“Elder people around the world still suffer a lot of discrimination, a lot of abuse.There really is a sort of feeling that there have been decades of various commitments, plans of action on ageing, international agreements that more needed to be done for the world’s older people,but it hasn’t really delivered enough change.”He said when such a U.N. convention was approved for the disabled it brought dramatic changes for the better.The movement has gained the support of Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu of South Africa. In a statement, Tutu said,“This is not a minority issue. We are all growing older.”
