1 October 2012 - Today, one in every ten is 60 years and older. By 2050, one out of every five will be an older person, and by 2150, one third of the people in the world are expected to be 60 years of age or older.

In our fast ageing world, older people will increasingly play a critical role - through volunteer work, transmitting experience and knowledge, helping their families with caring responsibilities and increasing their participation in the paid labour force. Older persons make major contributions to society. For instance, throughout Africa and elsewhere - millions of adult AIDS patients are cared for at home by their parents. On their death, orphaned children left behind (currently, 14 million under the age of 15 in African countries alone) are mainly looked after by their grandparents. It is not only in developing countries that older persons' role in development is critical. In Spain for example, caring for dependent and sick individuals is mostly done by older people (particularly older women).

Source: United Nations Programme on Ageing

Selected learning materials

Rights and Freedoms for all ages
This extensive online training module offers general information about human rights as well as the rights of the elderly.

Study Guide: The rights of the aged
An introduction to issues relating to older persons and the rights of elderly, and ways to protect and protect them.

Useful links

World Health Organization Ageing and life course

United Nations Programme on Ageing

Help Age International

Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA)

Organisations advocating for and educating about the aged

Human Rights-Based Programming

La Programmation basée sur les droits humains