Mainstreaming the concerns of older persons into the social development agenda Robert Venne

1. Mainstreaming the concerns of older persons into the social development agenda Robert Venne UN Programme on Ageing

2. Defining mainstreaming • process of systematically bringing issues to the center of attention • tool for focus and inclusion • proxy for advocacy • strategy and process as well as a multi-dimensional effort Goals: • greater social integration of a particular group • inclusion of a particular issue into all aspects of social, political, economic and cultural life

3. Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing on mainstreaming • Mainstreaming ageing into global agendas is essential • Concerted effort to move towards a wide and equitable approach to policy integration • Attempt to link ageing to other frameworks for social and economic development and human rights • Recognition of ability of older persons to contribute to society

4. General Assembly and Commission for Social Development on mainstreaming General Assembly resolution 58/134 calls for: • integration of ageing into all development policies • setting national and international policy priorities concerning older persons Commission for Social Development resolution 42/1 outlines: • review and appraisal of MIPAA every five years by including age-specific policies and efforts to mainstream ageing • facilitation and promotion of MIPAA by advocating mainstreaming

5. Road map for the implementation of MIPAA • achieving national capacity building by mainstreaming  DESA assists in holding national workshops to explore benefits and obstacles regarding mainstreaming and data collection (Senegal and Kyrgyzstan) • tracking to what extent mainstreaming occurs and how ageing is integrated in policy planning • assigning full-time focal points on ageing for further implementation, particularly through appropriate mainstreaming action

6. UN and NGO operative efforts UNFPA  mainstreaming ageing into areas of focus such as reproductive health, gender and humanitarian responses to conflict situations WHO  focus on principles and methods of developing health care systems that are responsive to ageing HelpAge International  focus on older persons as caregivers for orphans and children as victims of HIV/AIDS

7. DESA-organized meetings on follow-up to MIPAA Meeting in Tanzania on poverty in Africa: agreement to mainstream the concerns of older persons is necessary for linking ageing to existing policy and operational programming instruments Meeting in Malta on modalities for R+A of MIPAA: mainstreaming ageing into development policies as part of the review and appraisal exercise Meeting in Austria on national implementation of MIPAA: empowerment and participation are important vehicles in mainstreaming efforts

8. Tools and techniques for successful mainstreaming (1) Data collection and analysis • Age-disaggregated data on socio-economic situation of older persons of particular importance • Participatory methods for collecting information should complement other more quantitative data collection methods (2) Awareness raising, advocacy and education • Information dissemination regarding ageing and older persons  sensitizing the public and combating negative stereotypes and ignorance • Public advocacy of objectives of MIPAA

9. Tools and techniques for successful mainstreaming cont’d (3) Performance indicators • Developing benchmarks to measure improvement of life quality of older persons and success of overall policy • Built-in periodicity of review of policies and programmes benefiting older persons is important (4) Reflection of ageing in the social budget • Establishment of mainstreaming office in finance ministry • Annual budget process must take the concerns and problems of older persons into consideration  improved equity in national resource allocation

10. Tools and techniques for successful mainstreaming cont’d (5) Evaluation of current laws and mainstreaming of concerns into new legislation and policies • Review of existing policies to ensure that they adequately reflect the concerns of older persons • Conduct of impact analysis for new policy, programmes and laws regarding ageing and older persons (6) National coordination and international cooperation • Coordination of conception, sequencing of actions, implementation as well as evaluation of policies • Sharing of best practices • Capacity development among governments, NGOs, international organizations, and donors for effective mainstreaming

11. Good mainstreaming practices Bolivia: The National Plan for Older Persons (2001) seeks to counteract the age discrimination currently marginalizing older people and calls for mainstreaming a generational perspective into all national policies and programmes.

12. Good mainstreaming practices Mauritius: Ageing with Dignity (2001), a comprehensive National Policy on the Elderly, covers retirement, health and nutrition, social protection, housing, income security, employment, education, inter-generational relationships, social welfare and leisure as well as institutional care, with gender as a cross-cutting issue.

13. Good mainstreaming practices New Zealand: ‘Positive Ageing Strategy’ (2001) focuses on income security, accessible health services, affordable housing and the opportunity ‘to age in place’, accessible transport, non-discrimination of rural communities, cultural services, elimination of ageism in employment, attitude change, and opportunities for participation concerning older persons. Strategy development and R+A in an all-inclusive manner.

14. Conclusion Mainstreaming as a technique to further the interests and well-being of older persons could be a useful tool to promote an equitable age-integrated society for all ages, as called for in MIPAA. Mainstreaming, if applied prudently should result in new policies based on careful planning, sensible implementation and rigorous evaluation using well-thought-out indicators that could lead to more satisfying results for older persons.