Ageing in the Twenty-First Century: A Celebration And A Challenge

This report, our contribution to the Madrid+10 review and
appraisal process, takes stock of progress since the adoption
of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing in 2002.

Ageing in the Twenty-First Century: A Celebration and A Challenge
is based on an assessment of progress since the Second World
Assembly on Ageing in 2002 in the three priority areas
identified in Madrid: development, health and well-being,
and enabling and supportive environments. It reviews
progress in policies and actions taken by governments and
other stakeholders in response to Madrid’s call for creating
a society for all ages. Its unique feature is a focus on the
voices of older persons themselves, captured through group
discussions with older men and women in 36 countries
around the world. The first-hand accounts and testimonies
of older persons help to ensure that the perspectives of the
older population are better understood and acted upon.

The report identifies gaps and proposes the way forward with
recommendations to ensure an age-friendly world in which
everyone, including older persons, is given the opportunity
to contribute to development and share in its benefits,
the voices of all age groups are heard, and all persons are
included in decision-making that affects them. Ageing is a
lifelong process that does not start at age 60. Today’s young
people will be part of the 2 billion-strong population of older
persons in 2050. A better world for younger people today
will mean a better world for older persons in 2050.

The report shows that there has been some important
progress since Madrid. A number of countries have approved
national policies, plans, programmes or strategies on ageing
and older persons and some have approved age-specific
legislation since 2002. But we know that policies and
legislation alone are not sufficient to make a real change in
the quality of life of older persons. Policies and legislation
must be enforced so that older persons can enjoy their
human rights, and programmes must be implemented and
monitored to ensure that they reach those most in need.