ISLAMABAD: International Day of Older Persons would be observed across the globe including Pakistan on October 1 (Saturday) in a befitting and appropiate manner, remembering contributions of senior citizens to their families and communities.
The day will be observed with the theme "The Growing Opportunities and Challenges of Global Ageing" to examine issues that affect the lives of senior citizens.
Radios, televisions or newspapers will publish interviews with senior citizens on various issues such as achievements they made to create a better society.
According to national demographic survey, senior citizens constitute 10 per cent of the total population of Pakistan and this figure is likely to rise to 15 per cent during the next five to ten years.
Senior Citizens Foundations or Welfare Trusts are working for the welfare of Senior Citizens throughout the country.
The Foundations have established Day Care Centres at community level where health education, recreational programmes are offered.
The organization are working with a motto `Senior Citizens are an asset, not a liability' and trying to enable senior citizens to become active members of society and play their role in the development of the nation.
The World Health Organization (WHO), which is the UN's directing and coordinating agency for health related issues and other groups have been actively involved in promoting public awareness and attention on the International Day of Older Persons.
Discussions are centered on topics such as: ageing populations and the provision of adequate healthcare for aged persons; volunteer work; social care's and ways to be more inclusive of older persons in the workforce.
On December 14, 1990, the UN General Assembly declared October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons, following up on initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the assembly.
The International Day of Older Persons was observed for the first time throughout the world on October 1, 1991.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011
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