Support is needed!On the cusp of reaching the milestone of 35,370,902 Brazilians aged 60 and older1, we still feel there is a need to press for aging to be included in Brazil’s public and political agenda. A first step in this direction would be to increase social participation of older individuals in the various deliberative spaces, albeit councils, conferences or other forums in other spheres. Older adults need to represent themselves, with participation which should not be conferred to others. Another no less important step is to elect representatives committed to the “cause” of older individuals. This commitment should, ideally, be translated into concrete actions representing the older population in Brazil, and not merely in the form of campaign promises.
In support of the struggle of older adults in promoting and protecting the human rights of the older population, the Brazilian Journal of Geriatrics and Gerontology (RBGG), an important reference in the publication of quality articles in its field, has sought to address the concerns of the scientific community and the older population in Brazil. To this end, the journal has provided researchers in the area, up and down the country, with the opportunity to publish their scientific work through communication and scientific dissemination, in an effort to reach all individuals who are, directly or indirectly, engaged with this discourse. Additionally, the journal has contributed by publishing information on important instruments that help ensure the human rights of older adults are upheld.
In this regard, the RBGG fully supports ratification of Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons2, signed by Brazil in 2015 but never ratified. Ratification is necessary to provide the nation with a legally-binding instrument aimed at promoting and protecting the human rights of older persons in Brazil, and to ensure the country´s internationally agreed commitment with the human rights of older adults. The Convention came into effect internationally in December 2016, yet Brazil still remains outside the framework of this important regulatory milestone and major stride.
Another act of support by the RBGG is in the form of its upcoming second Congress, to be held on 30th-31st October this year, at the end of the month that marks the Day of Older Persons, with the theme “The many faces of human aging”. This year´s event, besides covering academic output in the Geriatrics and Gerontology field, includes the III Seminar on Alzheimer´s Disease, convening researchers from all over the world to specifically discuss the subject.
Also scheduled for this year, is the 6th National Conference on the Rights of Older Persons (CONADIPI)3, set to bring together over 1000 participants during the 16-19th December. The event will include delegates and invited speakers to discuss the topic “Multicultural Aging and Democracy: the urgent need for equity, rights and participation”. Notably, the Conferences represent democratic, deliberative and inclusive spaces where older adults, specialists, managers and social movements can debate and formulate guidelines to inform Plans and Policies for improving the quality of life as it relates to the aging process.
In ratifying support for the debate on older persons, it is important to bear in mind that Brazil is an aging country that continues to get older. There is an imminent need for inclusion of the issue in both public and political agendas and no time to lose in ensuring this issue gains momentum to prevent the future collapse of Health, Welfare and Social Security Systems, among others. As stated in the wording of the Intra-American Convention, it is important to grasp and recognize “old age and aging from a human rights perspective that recognizes the valuable current and potential contributions of older persons to the common welfare, cultural identity, diversity of their communities, human, social and economic development, and the eradication of poverty”.
References
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1 Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Projeções da População: tabelas [Internet]. 2024. Disponível em: https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/9109-projecao-da-populacao.html
» https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/populacao/9109-projecao-da-populacao.html -
2 Organização dos Estados Americanos (OEA). Convenção Interamericana Sobre a Proteção dos Direitos Humanos dos Idosos 45th. Washington: OEA; 2015. Disponível em: https://www.oas.org/en/sare/documents/CIPM_POR.pdf
» https://www.oas.org/en/sare/documents/CIPM_POR.pdf -
3 Ministério dos Direitos Humanos e da Cidadania. 6ª Conferência Nacional Dos Direitos da Pessoa Idosa [Internet]. 2024. Disponível em: https://www.gov.br/mdh/pt-br/navegue-por-temas/pessoa-idosa/6a-conferencia-nacional-dos-direitos-da-pessoa-idosa
» https://www.gov.br/mdh/pt-br/navegue-por-temas/pessoa-idosa/6a-conferencia-nacional-dos-direitos-da-pessoa-idosa
