By Holy See Mission
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Celestino MiglioreApostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy
SeeBefore the Third Committee of the60th Session of the United Nations General AssemblyOn agenda item 63:Follow-up to the International Year of Older
Persons:Second World Assembly on AgeingNew York, 4 October 2005Mr. Chairman,
Three years ago, in Madrid, the
Holy See described the elderly as “the guardians of the collective memory,
conservers of inter-generational relationships and transmitters of authentic
values that defined their existence.” But we need to remind ourselves that these
noble sentiments will remain empty words if we remember the elderly only when we
need them. The fact that people now live longer requires a rethinking of the
role of the elderly in society and in the process of development. It would be
well, therefore, to create a wide range of opportunities to make use of the
potential, experiences and expertise of older persons. This approach and
attitude will enable them both to remain connected to society and to continue to
make a mark in the world, whether for volunteerism or work. Further, and perhaps
more importantly, carving out a niche for the elderly
starting from the simple and continued appreciation of their presence by their
own family will prevent their stigmatisation and exclusion.
In many societies, caring for
dependent and sick individuals is done by older people, particularly older
women. In that context, it is important that the availability of, and access to
primary health care for older persons be integrated within a larger process of
development, with a focus on their specific medical needs and adequate
nutrition. These processes might include a safety net where pensions and other
schemes are inadequate.
While it is true that the social protection of the elderly is a main
responsibility of Governments and private institutions, the Holy See reaffirms
the important role also of the family in their comprehensive security, as well
as in mental, physical and spiritual health.
For its part, the Holy See offers
its support to older persons through various assistance programmes. At present,
Catholic agencies and organisations in every continent care for the aged in over
13,000 facilities, including more than 500 centres in Africa, 3,000 in the
Americas and 1,400 in Asia.
Mr. Chairman, while social security programmes and
medical benefits are essential, my delegation notes here how important are
compassion, love, respect, appreciation and fondness for the elderly. We
encourage Governments to teach in schools these values with respect to the
elderly, members of civil society to exercise them in the home and for such
values to be continuously promoted in the media.
Social support services are an
extension of the common duty to provide for older family members who are
neglected, in order to reduce the impact of globalisation-driven migration and
family fragmentation. In low income countries where informal employment and
poverty coexist, the nutritional status of the elderly is at risk oftentimes
because of poverty, responsibility for supporting grandchildren, living alone
and a whole variety of age-related disabilities. A basic social pension and the
protection of pension rights are important ways to reach and support the
elderly.
The projected demographic transition demonstrates a dramatic increase in numbers
of the elderly by 2050, noting the transition from a regime of high fertility
and high mortality to low population growth, both in developed and in developing
countries. According to the statistics, today there are more than six hundred
million people who are over sixty years of age, and it is estimated that by 2050
they will be more than three times that number. It is also calculated that by
2030, 71% of this elderly population will live in developing countries and
between 12% and 16% will be in developed countries.
These trends teach us two
things: first, that every country must become and remain, as the Madrid Summit
of 2002 fittingly said, “a society for all ages” and second, that extra caution
may be advisable when fiscal and international policies enter the realm of human
engineering.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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