It's not a secret for anyone that the world community is gradually aging. World statistics show that as early as 2002, one sixty-year-old man was every tenth, but by 2050 it will be every fifth person on the planet, and by 2150 a third of the total population of the earth will be people who are more than sixty years old.
Therefore, in 1982, the International Vienna Action Plan on the problems of aging was proclaimed. At the end of 1990, the UN General Assembly, at its 45th session, established the International Day of Older Persons and decided to celebrate it on 1 October . The following year, the United Nations adopted a provision on the Principles for Older Persons.
Initially, the holiday of the elderly was celebrated only in Europe. Then he was picked up in the US , and from the end of the last century this day began to be celebrated all over the world.
This holiday, which in English sounds like the International Day of Older Persons, is designed to help change the attitudes of others around the elderly. After all, people who are now more than sixty years old have experience, knowledge, skills and wisdom. Today's elderly people are the last bearers of culture of the beginning of the 20th century, a time when qualities such as honor, tolerance, and upbringing were especially appreciated. All these qualities have helped the elderly people with dignity to endure all the horrors of wars, repressions, totalitarianism.
The events dedicated to the International Day of the Elderly
On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, celebrated on October 1, the UN appeals to all governments, public organizations and all the inhabitants of our planet to create a society in which due attention is paid to people of all ages, including the elderly. This was also mentioned in the Millennium Declaration adopted on the eve of 2000. All efforts in this regard should be aimed not only at making people live longer, but also for improving the quality of life of all people, and their very existence being full, diverse and bringing elderly people joy and satisfaction.
On the International Day of Older Persons, various events are held in various countries for this event. These are congresses and conferences dedicated to the rights of older people, as well as their place in our society. International associations for the protection of the rights of older people organize festivals, while funds and public organizations organize various events. These are free concerts and a demonstration of movies for the elderly, charitable evenings for recreation and performances.
Sports competitions and amateur competitions among the elderly are interesting. In towns and villages celebrations of long-livers or spouses who have lived together for a long 40, 50 or more years are held. To this holiday can be timed various personal exhibitions,
The celebration of the Day of Older Persons is held every year under different mottos. So, in 2002 it was a topic of bringing the quality of life of older people to a new level, and in 2008 the celebration was dedicated to the rights of older people.
The International Day of the Elderly in all countries of the world raises a very topical topic today, affecting the interests of single pensioners and low-income elderly people, which are becoming more and more all over the world. The issues of rendering moral, material and social assistance to such members of our society are being raised.