October 1st: International Day of Older Persons

Today is the 19th Annual Celebration of the International Day of Older Persons. This special day recognizes the contributions of older persons and draws continued attention to the issues of global aging.

This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the International Year ofOlder Persons. The theme - "Towards a Society for All Ages" - continues to guide nations in creating communities for both young and old. In his message for the International Day of Older Persons, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon noted that this motto emphasizes the need to treat older persons as both agents and beneficiaries of development. This emphasis on the positive contributions of older persons -- and theUnited Nations Principles for Older Persons -- take on even greater importance as the world struggles to confront global food, energy, climate, financial and economic crises. Secretary Ban Ki Moon also urged nations to end age discrimination, abuse, neglect and violence against older persons. The 19th Annual Commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons "Aging Activism: A Global Tool to Create a Society for All Ages" will be held on October 8, 2009, United Nations Headquarters, New York.

For more information about this year's celebration of the International Day of Older Persons, go to http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing/un_meetings.html.