CAMPAIGNING ON AGEING ISSUES
Campaigning on Ageing Issues is reprinted by kind permission of HelpAge International from their information kit: 1999 International Year of Older Persons — Towards a Society for all Ages.
The world is ageing. According to the US Bureau of the Census, in 1996 the world population aged 60 and over was 550 million. By 2025 that figure will have reached 1.2 billion, an ever increasing percentage of the world’s population. This will impact on many areas of life, particularly health, social security and employment. Yet despite this, many governments seem to be ignoring the issue and have not developed or revised national policy to take into account their changing population, and it is the ever-growing older population who may lose out.
Ageing is a growing issue and it is important that national governments put in place adequate policies to deal with it. Many governments have formulated policy to take into account the changing profile of their country’s demography. 1999 provides an opportunity to raise the issue and get it on your government’s agenda.
Obviously campaigning techniques will need to vary in each country, and there is no single method of campaigning — you will have a much better idea of how the system works in your country, how to make it work for you and how to develop useful contacts. However, included in this article are a few examples of how groups in several countries have chosen to campaign on ageing issues. The approaches vary, as do the groups involved. It is up to you to decide which, if any, of the methods might be appropriate in your environment.
One thing to remember whichever way you decide to carry out your campaigning activities: the media will be one of your most powerful tools. If you use the media well, your message will reach many more people and will probably gain more popular support and impact.
Elections can be an important time for campaigning as all the politicians will be trying to win votes. Point out to them that there is an increasing number of voters over the age of 60. Try to encourage different candidates or political parties to state their position on ageing issues, as HelpAge India did in the run-up to the 1998 elections. It will help if you get politicians’ views on record through the media as it makes it more difficult or embarrassing for them to go back on their word.
The UN has designated National Coordinating Bodies on Ageing in each country. In most countries these are government offices or departments. In many countries NGOs and other groups and organisations working in the field of ageing have formed National Councils on Ageing which coordinate activities such as training, awareness raising and campaigning. It is a good idea to find out if such a body exists so that you do not do the same work unnecessarily, and so that there is a coordinated approach to your campaigns. You will have a much stronger impact if you all work together.
In Asia the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific has published a Source Book on Ageing containing Profiles of National Coordinating Bodies on Ageing and Non-Governmental Organizations for Older Persons in Asia and the Pacific. Perhaps there is a similar resource for your region*.
The Dominica Council on Ageing was established in 1993 and has taken a lead in putting ageing issues on the national agenda. A sub-committee of the Council drafted a proposal for a National Policy for Older Persons in Dominica. Following extensive community consultation it was submitted to the Dominican Government in July 1998.
* In addition to the National Coordinating Bodies mentioned in this article, a special listing of National Focal Points has been designated in coordination with the United Nations’ 1999 International Year of Older Persons through the International Activities division of AARP in the United States. A copy of the National Focal Points can be found on pp. 25-33.
If your country is not included in the National Focal Points listing:
- Contact your Ministry of Health. Ask for the agency that has been designated to deal with Ageing concerns. If there is no such designated body within your government, one of the National Focal Points in your geographical region may be willing to provide you with assistance.
- Establish a coordinating committee of community leaders and mental health professionals. If enough interest is generated, The International Year of Older Persons can be utilized as a launching point for the establishment of a national Ageing Issues Task Force in your country.