Now I am young, I carry
the voices of the old with me, hoping that as I grow older, our societies,
cities, laws, policies; communities will be age-friendly.
The
world is ageing and it is ageing fast. With Africa to experience the fastest
growing ageing population than any region, without having the chance of being
rich, Prof Susanne Garon remarked to us all present at the International Workshop on Ageing andAge-Friendly Environment, at Palais Des Congress, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The
workshop which began on May 27 – 28, organized by the International Federationon Ageing (IFA) and Friends of IFA (FOIFA) brought together over 500 delegates
across all works of life; amongst them members of parliaments, government and
civil society representatives; policy makers, academicians, journalists, heads
of organizations – National and International, traditional elites and elders,
from all six continents to critically looked at some four key areas on; Health
and Wellbeing into Old Age; Elderly Abuse; Older Persons and Crisis Management
and lastly Age-friendly Environments – as well as to seek better means towards
addressing this current population trend.
I
was however privileged to be one of the panelists’ speakers, presenting my
views after Dr. Isabella Aboderin, a renowned expert in active ageing
discourses, who highlighted a number of profound issues on age-based
inequalities in sub-Saharan Africa, urging governments to invest in health care
for ageing people, local elites to collaborate in promoting active ageing and
researchers to produce evidence-based and solution-oriented works.
Personally,
it was an honorary feeling for me – first to be part of Dr. Isabella’s
panelists. Secondly, to have spoken for
the hundreds of ageing mothers in my community whose voices hardly get to the
frontline.
In
addition, I felt like, I am being prepared for old age. Now that I am young, I
am been mentored to not only promote young people’s agenda but as well the old
such that by the time my generation is older,
discourses on age-friendly societies wouldn’t be new.
While
writing this article, I could not stop reflecting on the panel discussions,
participants’ questions as well as the statistics and projections from the
facilitators at the workshop. One of which is the United Nations Department of
Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA 2007)
that states that one of every ten people on the planet is now 60 years
of age or older. And by 2050, one of five people will be above 60 years or
older. The truth is – by that time, many youths of today will constitute the
ageing population.
And
when I look at the youth of today, whose livelihood is mark with – severe
suffering, poverty, abuse, insecurity, violence, diseases, poor healthcare
services, high levels of unemployment in spite the education obtained; I try to
visualize what kind of life awaits us [young people] in future, if proper
measures are not put in place.
And
as I ponder further, I recall Mme Nesta Hatendi, the regional director of Help
Age International for East, Central, West Africa, remark on “Age-Friendly
Environments” – where she drew our attention on toady’s politicians, world
leaders, statesmen ageing status – and how in spite of the fact that many of
these leaders are older adults, they lack the vision towards enhancing healthy
and age-friendly environments.
Again, I recollect, Dr. Omokaro remarks, of
Dave Omokaro Foundation, pinpointing the fact that older people’s issues have
not been streamlined into development agenda. And also, the fact that there is
need for rigorous awareness to shift and change attitudes and behaviors to
understand older people invaluable contribution to national growth; many of
whom, particularly older mothers are becoming parents again when they should be
retired.
An
allusion, Dr. Isabella had also noted with focus on aging population in Africa,
78% of whom remain economically active – she said: yet elderly adults’ rights
to basic health are still viewed marginal. They remain invisible in terms of
decision making.
So,
my take home from the workshop was - as youth activists and leaders now, this
is our chance to re-orientate our thoughts and as we call on governments
attention on inclusiveness, and the need for sustainable development we
remember to also emphasize on elderly people’s rights and their environments -
friendly of all ages.
