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Older people – a new power for development

Old people do not receive enough information on HIV/AIDS in Mozambique. Mercedes Sayagues/PlusNews

“Too often older people are ignored in development policies because they are seen as economically inactive and  ' worthless '," reports HelpAge International, the international NGO working for the rights of disadvantaged older people.

This year, the UN International Day of Older Persons (1 October) , older people in 32 countries will meet their governments as part of Age Demands Action, a global campaign calling for older people to be included in development policies. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are at least 600 million persons aged 60 years and over worldwide today. There will be more people over 60 than under 14 by 2050. At least 80  percent  of them will live in developing countries.

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This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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