Regional Meeting Enhancing Capacity for the Integration of the ICPD Agenda into SDG Adaptation and Review Processes in Eastern Europe and Central Asia Geneva, 2-4 November, 2016 Palais des Nations, Room XXV Monitoring Lives of Older People and Population Dynamics in the SDG and the ICPD agendas Asghar Zaidi University of Southampton and London School of Economics With contributions from Sylvia Beales and Silvia Perel-Levin Stakeholder Group on Ageing
Key messages 1. The SDG / ICPD monitoring and implementation will be a major challenge for policy and statistical communities in many countries timely investments in the capacity development are necessary. 2. In addressing policy challenges of population dynamics/ ageing, disaggregated data by age, sex and disability will be essential. 3. Older people are a most diverse group of population. Change in the mind set is required in empowering older people and making them agents of sustainable development.
The context: Rising share of older people in our societies Speed of population ageing is profound in the EECA sub-region Source: HelpAge International, Global AgeWatch Index website.
The rationale: Ageing linked to development I. Sustainable development strategies to empower older people by improving their wellbeing and quality of life Two bold pledges made in this respect in the SDGs no one will be left behind and we endeavour to reach the furthest behind first II. The flip side: healthy, secure and empowered older people in turn contribute to their own wellbeing and to the overall development of the society in which they live. Source: Zaidi, A. (2015) Ageing and Development. GSDRC Professional Development Reading Pack, developed for DFID, the UK. http://www.gsdrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ageing-and-development_rp1.pdf
SDG s distinctive feature Input of key stakeholders in the formulation of the goals, targets and their indicators framework 2011/ 2012 Input evidence as framework starting to develop, building on Rio 20+ summit in 2012 2015 Representations in intergovernmental negotiations, in expert group meetings, in online consultations, speaking at the General Assembly plenary September 2015 2013 Formation of the Stakeholder Group on Ageing, produce positions and build alliances SDGs have age, gender and disability firmly on the agenda of international and national development
SDGs have age, gender and disability firmly on the agenda There are references to "older persons", "age", "for all", "all" and "lifelong" in 15 out of the 17 goals. Particularly relevant are Goal 3, Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, as well as Goal 5 Achieve gender equality & empowerment for all women /girls In a number of targets, there is a broader commitment that "all indicators should be disaggregated by age, gender and disability Older persons are specified in 3 targets (2.2, 11.2 and 11.7) Source: Zaidi, A. (2016) Sustainable Development Goals have put ageing back onto the agenda, HelpAge International, London http://www.helpage.org/global-agewatch/blogs/asghar-zaidi-20076/sustainable-development-goals-have-putageing-back-onto-the-agenda-1006/
Monitoring and implementing the SDGs Good quality data and evidence-informed policymaking is at the core of the SDG process Goal 17 is therefore particularly relevant Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership Target 17.18 By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to countries to increase significantly the availability of highquality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts
The elephant in the room Older people are the most heterogeneous group Not to be reduced to a single group, such as 50+ or 60+, in fact clear and appropriate distinctions within the group of older people need to be made (e.g. there is a call for 5- year age groups). No upper age threshold to be used in the indicators (e.g. stopping at 59 for some indicators is not entirely justified) Most critical is to identify intersecting attributes (for example, overlapping groups of older women and men with and without disability) Source: Zaidi, A. (2015) Aiming high: achieving the Global Goals to end poverty, inequality and climate change, HelpAge International, London http://www.helpage.org/global-agewatch/blogs/asghar-zaidi- 20076/aiming-high-achieving-the-global-goals-to-end-poverty-inequality-and-climate-change-948/
Monitoring older people in the SDGs and the ICPD The SDGs has given us an unparalleled opportunity to promote inclusion of older people and ageing in the international and national development agenda The ICPD has served as an important predecessor Sustainable development as their end goals People centred and human rights-based Interlinked and interdependent global challenges Have universal mandates
ICPD and population ageing/ dynamics ICPD relevance with respect to older people and population dynamics is apparent, because of its emphasis on health and rights, protection of women and girls, and the life course emphasis Ageing is a specific topic area for ICPD but mostly the focus is on reproductive health rights for those under the age of 49 (nb. women after the age of 50 carry on having SRH needs and rights). Great opportunity in 2017 at the ICPD in NY (and other such high level political forums) to seek genuine commitments from governments for policies on ageing and population dynamics
Other international policy frameworks Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing MIPAA The MIPAA is specific to older people and development, and their health and well-being, and age-friendly environments. The underlying philosophy is society for all ages, and empowerment of older people has benefits for people of all generations. The MIPAA 15+ review will offer strong lessons about how countries make progress in improving the lives of older people under a universally mandated, softly compelled, international programme on older people. The Independent Expert on the rights of older persons has claimed that MIPAA does not offer enough to protect the human rights of older persons
Synergies required with other relevant forums Open Ended Working Group on Ageing: Inter-governmental Working Group established by General Assembly in 2010, to examine existing international frameworks of human rights of older persons, and to consider the feasibility of a new legal instrument on the rights of older persons. WHO s Global strategy and action plan on ageing and health: In 2014, the World Health Assembly asked for a comprehensive Global strategy and action plan on ageing and health, adopted in the 2016 World Health Assembly Multisectoral action for a life course approach to healthy ageing: global strategy and plan of action on ageing and health.
The take away lessons for statisticians Take a good stock of what ageing-related data is available in your country: from the census, surveys and administrative registers Assess what longer term investments are required in the survey and census instruments Start making a good use of administrative data sources Keep an eye on what learnings can be drawn from experiences of other countries.
Thank you For further information email: Asghar.Zaidi@soton.ac.uk sylvia.bealesgelber@gmail.com s.perel58@gmail.com