Welcome to the United Nations
This high-level meeting held during the 59th session of the Commission for Social Development was a moderated conversation organized by AARP and DESA in collaboration with ITU and the United Nations Human Rights Special Procedures. The focus lies on a socially just transition towards a sustainable development and the role of key digital and ubiquitous technologies on social development and well-being of all, in times of navigating a COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery efforts.
Speakers included senior officials from the United Nations and private sector who explored how to ensure the inclusion of older people’s needs, interests and perspectives in efforts of the international community to optimize the use of digital technologies and mitigate its risks.
Quotes from the event:
"We're definitely seeing more feelings of loneliness and social isolation in older adults, and we know that has long-term health effects." --- Alison Bryant, Senior Vice President, AARP Research, Enterprise Lead, Technology/ Digital Equity
"We need to integrate the consideration of age, including old age, into every discussion of digital inclusion." --- Elliott Harris, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development and Chief Ecconomist, UN DESA
"Tackling this big challenge [of digital inclusion] will require a number of innovative approaches. ... Collaboration is the key word." --- Malcolm Johnson, Deputy Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union
"The use of assistive and smart agin technologies by older persons presents opportunities as well as risks." --- Claudia Mahler, UN Independent Expert on the human rights of older persons
For more information, please visit: https://www.aarpinternational.org/initiatives/aarp-at-the-united-nations/unbriefingseries/2021unbriefing