UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 55th SESSION
Third Committee - Item 104: Follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons
Statement by Mr Colin Hollis MP
Parliamentary Adviser to the Australian Delegation
28 September 2000
Madam Chairperson
Australia strongly supported the International Year of Older Persons in 1999. The concept
was warmly embraced within Australia and we were proud to contribute to international efforts
to promote the Year's key objectives in the areas of independence, participation, care, self-fulfillment and dignity for older persons. We saw the year as an important opportunity to promote a nation-wide approach to issues of ageing, to celebrate the diversity and richness
of our older population, and to acknowledge their ongoing contribution to society.
Now that the year is over, Australia is committed to carrying forward these objectives, to
building on the initiatives which were established during the year, and to ensuring that the momentum created in 1999 is carried forward. Earlier this week you heard the Australian Youth Representative remind us that young people are important members of "We the peoples" at the beginning of the new Millennium. Older people are equally important. Societies which do not utilise the contribution older people can make, deny themselves considerable opportunities.
As we enter the new century, Australian society, like all others, is undergoing rapid change.
The roles which older people fulfil are also evolving. Just as young people should be encouraged to participate in a meaningful way in society, older people should be given opportunities to continue to achieve and contribute to their communities and to the nation,
even when they require some support to do so. Australia's approach to issues of ageing and the aged reflects this.
Madam Chairperson
During the International Year for Older Persons, Australian initiatives were developed with a view to laying the basis for a long-term and continuing focus on issues of ageing and the aged. The dynamic nature of our approach was reflected in our adoption of the United Nations theme for the Year as our national slogan "Australia Towards a Society for all Ages". Australia's objectives for the international year were:
• to encourage mutual responsibility between the community and older people;
• to recognise the significant contribution of older people to communities and families;
• to build partnerships involving government, business and the community to better meet the needs of older people;
• to improve understanding among the young of older people and their contribution to Australia; and
• to promote greater responsibility by families and individuals in planning for, and responding to, the needs of people as they age
Partnerships were a particularly important element of Australia's approach to the year. We recognised that real impact and real change could only be achieved if all levels of Government and the community were involved in promoting and carrying out initiatives during the year. It was also recognised that, long after the year itself was over, the contacts, relationships and understanding encouraged by these partnerships would continue. The establishment of partnerships was thus a strategic decision whose aim was to ensure that policies and programs established specifically for the International Year of Older Persons could produce sustainable outcomes for the Australian community well beyond 1999.
The partnerships approach was a key element in our efforts to bring about a change in the perceptions of ageing. In Australia, as in other countries, the International Year for Older Persons provided the opportunity and the impetus to work actively to change the way Australians perceive older people and ageing and to achieve longer-term cultural change. In addition to partnerships between Government and community groups, key national strategies were implemented to begin this process.
A broad based communication strategy and a national media campaign provided a wide range of information to communities about the International Year of Older Persons, encouraged participation at all levels and worked to break down the stereotypes which often prevent people from working together for a common goal. A strategy to promote business and community partnerships was also launched to further strengthen the linkages across society. One important part of this worked to address stereotyped images of older women and to promote a positive and celebratory community approach.
Other new initiatives have played a significant part in bringing about changes in perception of older Australians. The Government Senior Australian of the Year Award entered its second year in 2000. This year's recipient of the award will be announced on 4 October.
At the community level, the Commonwealth Recognition Awards for Senior Australians Program, initiated during the International Year of Older Persons has been implemented again in 2000. Under this program communities are encouraged to nominate for an award senior Australians who are outstanding role models in the community. Both of these awards recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of senior Australians to the community, and bring them to the attention of the broader community.
I am pleased to report that already there is some evidence in Australia of the success of these approaches.
National research was conducted early in 2000 to determine the level of community attitudinal change towards older people and the impact of the International Year Of Older Persons campaign. When compared with attitudes which had been surveyed in 1998 the research showed that the international year in Australia has been successful in breaking down negative stereotypes of older people, and bringing about significant positive shifts in community perceptions and attitudes towards older people and ageing.
To continue this process, national Media and Advertising awards, initiated during the international year, will again be conducted to reinforce the positive portrayal of older Australians.
Madam Chairperson
We hope that partnerships and increased understanding between all sectors of Australian society will ensure that the impact of the International Year of Older Persons continues well into the future. In addition, it is important to state that the Australian Government's focus on the needs of older people and the issues important to them has not ceased with the completion of the year.
The Government's National Strategy for an Ageing Australia is Australia's key policy response to the international year. Development of the national strategy is expected to be completed during 2001. Its implementation, and complementary strategies in the Australian States and Territories, will ensure a long-term and coordinated policy response to the issues associated with a rapidly ageing population and community attitudes towards ageing and older people.
At the global level, as in Australia, it is important to ensure that momentum created by the International Year of Older Persons is maintained. In this context, the Second World Assembly on Ageing, to be held in Madrid in 2002, will be significant. Australia looks forward to playing a constructive role in that meeting.
Madam Chairperson
During 1999 Australia built a solid platform on which to achieve longer-term cultural change. The International Year of Older Persons marked the beginning of a new approach to senior Australians and issues associated with healthy ageing. As we enter the new Millennium, Australia and Australians are continuing to work towards the goal of truly becoming a "A Society For All Ages".