On the 1st of October the United Nations Population Fund in Belarus celebrated International Day of Elderly Persons.
On this occasion UNFPA in Belarus decided to invite to one place elderly and young persons, representatives from international, civil society and governmental organizations, who develop policies and programmes for active ageing, to support the idea of inclusive and sustainable urbanization.
This year’s theme of Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment, chosen by UN Secretariat, fits in perfectly with the objectives of the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: leave no one behind! It suggests that we must ensure that older persons along with other members of society are fully integrated in cities’ economic, social, political and cultural life and make sure that growth related issues were interlinked with environmental sustainability.
The title of the event The Evening for All Ages reflects the principles UNFPA are working with - ‘when everyone counts’. In his statement on the International Day of Elderly Persons Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, outlined that 'age-friendly cities are not just elderly-friendly. They are better for everyone'.
UNFPA representative, coordinator of demography related projects, Marina Sokolova, made a welcoming speech and presented ageing not as a problem but an opportunity for sustainable development of the cities and societies. The partners from civil society and government sector also looked at elderly people as a demographic dividend and delivered presentations from the perspective of inclusive urbanization and sustainability.
Presentations devoted to work with elderly people communities were delivered by Belarusian Red Cross Society, DVV International Representation in Belarus, Territorial center for social services of Moscow district of Minsk, Belarusian Association of Social Workers (Third Age University project) and Belarusian Public Youth Organization 'New Faces".
Among the topics raised by experts during the event the most discussed ones were lifelong education, and strengthening interlinkages between generations.
Presentations on active ageing were followed by screening of short documentaries devoted to life of elderly persons in Belarus. Documentaries were provided by Egalite Center Social Rehabilitation Institution (Egalite Inclusive New Media School project), young filmmakers and Cinema Perpetuum Miobile Film Festival.
The Evening for All Ages participants took notice of considerably high level of awareness about the challenges elderly persons are facing among Belarusian youth. Almost all volunteers engaged as teachers at the Third Age University project are students. Youth from Belarusian Public Youth Organization 'New Faces" adapt Forum theater methodology to the needs of elderly people and intensifying links between generations. Documentaries demonstrated during event were created by young Belarusian filmmakers.
