Welcome to the United Nations
As part of the 11th Session of the United Nations Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, the International Longevity Centre of Canada hosted a side-event entitled "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Human Rights of Older Persons: An International Dialogue” with support from our funders, the Canadian Medical Association, Home Instead and our partner, the International Federation of Ageing. Further support was provided by UN DESA, UN OHCHR, GAROP and the Governments/Missions of Argentina, Canada and Morocco. The session was Co-Chaired by Ms. Margaret Gillis, President and Dr. Kiran Rabheru, Board Chair, International Longevity Centre Canada, a member of the Global Alliance of International Longevity Centres.
This important event united UN officials and global leaders in the fields of ageing and beyond to address the how the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted older persons, leading to the violation of their human rights.
An international perspective was provided by Ambassadors from three countries: H.E. Ms. Maria del Carmen Squeff, Ambassador of Argentina to the United Nation, H. E. Mr. Bob Rae, Ambassador of Canada to the United Nations and H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale, Ambassador of Morocco to the United Nations.
Dr. Alexandre Kalache, President of the International Longevity Centre Brazil, provided a compassionate call to arms from one of the world’s countries hardest hit by COVID-19. Two Canadian leaders, The Honourable Patricia Bovey, Independent Senator from Manitoba and Dr. Ann Collins, President of the Canadian Medical Association, outlined how COVID-19 has increased the need for a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.
The speakers concluded with commentary by Dr. Claudia Mahler, United Nations Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Older Persons, who also called for a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. The session also included a question and answer period.