On Wednesday 30 September, CommonAge held its first Virtual Commonwealth Elders Forum to mark the International Day of Older Persons and highlight the need to tackle ageism in the Commonwealth.

Nearly 250 people joined the Forum to hear high-level speakers from across The Commonwealth share reflections and discuss how The Commonwealth can respond to older people’s rights and needs.

*** Click here to view the webinar ***

Opening statements:

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2018, leaders from across the Commonwealth recognised the importance of including older people and the issues they face directly in our discussions and debates.”

Lord Ahmad, UK Minister for The Commonwealth, #EldersForum2020

In the Commonwealth family, we believe we have a special responsibility to lead the way in upholding the rights and attending to the needs of older people.”

We must harness the power of the Commonwealth to generate dialogue and accelerate progress within and amongst our nations on strategies to build a Commonwealth for all ages, in which men and women can live in dignity for the entire span of their lives’ course.”

We must recommit and regroup to make a firm stand against discrimination on age, gender or any other basis, ensuring that everyone is invited to make proposals and participate in planning how they want to see their countries and communities being built back better.”

Baroness Scotland, Secretary-General of The Commonwealth #EldersForum2020

Speakers:

For the Commonwealth Foundation, as a Commonwealth agency for civil society, the rights and wellbeing of older persons lie at the heart of our mission and purpose. And let us be clear, recognising those rights, fighting for them has never been more important or more urgent.”

Civil society must push very hard for the Commonwealth to have an architecture, some structures, and systems, and build institutions that responds to the older persons issues…it has to be a policy agenda…as long as it is not seen to be a policy agenda among the Commonwealth Heads of Government, it will be a difficult task.”

Shem Ochola Deputy-General, Commonwealth Foundation, #EldersForum2020

Closing remarks:

Looking ahead

We are hopeful that the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, due to be held the week 21 June 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda will be the first to bring older people directly into the Commonwealth’s work.

People are living longer across the entire Commonwealth, providing significant opportunities for people of all ages. A world that is adapted to longer lifespans is one based on inclusive societies where generations work together to create peace and harmony, talents are harnessed, and skills and knowledge are transferred across all age groups.

The Commonwealth has the potential to show leadership by making older people an integral part of its work and helping its Member States to improve public policy, strengthen their laws, and ensure programme services that are fit for people of all ages. This would reduce the vulnerability many older people experience, help eliminate discrimination and ageism, and release the potential that comes with recognising the rights and contributions of older people.

This virtual event was supported by: