Some forty persons representing various churches and non-government organisations in Anguilla participated in a recent forum on the Rights of Older Persons. The November 26 meeting was organised by the Ministry and Department of Social Development and was held at the Soroptimist Day Care Centre Annex.

Dr. Raymond Jessurum

The forum was moderated by Ms. Kiesha Gumbs, Social Development Planner. It had as its objectives to raise awareness of the development of the Older Persons Human Rights Convention and to receive feedback from stakeholders on a draft document relating to the elderly.

The concerns of the participants appeared to have been focused on two main areas: pensions and health care for the elderly.

Clive F. Smith, Head of the Unit with responsibility for the elderly and challenged persons, reported on the third follow-up meeting of the Brasilia Declaration for the Rights of Older Persons Workshop which was held in Chile on October 5 and 6. Among other matters, he spoke about the timeliness and relevance of the Convention to national and international trends. He shared the view that such a Convention, under the auspices of the United Nations, would contribute greatly to addressing the needs of older persons, giving advocates a greater voice.

The guest speaker at the November 16 meeting was Dr. Raymond Jessurum, a Human Rights Defender throughout Latin America and the Caribbean but who resides in St. Maarten. He gave an overview of the input for the Convention on the Rights of Older Persons which is being developed in Latin America and the Caribbean. He traced the development of the UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons from the International Year of the Older Persons in 1999 to its present state and explained its justification.

Participants at the forum

Dr. Jessurum gave suggestions about the kind of action that could be taken immediately to raise the awareness of older persons and the community in general of the rights of the elderly. The views expressed at the forum will be discussed at the 4th follow-up meeting in Mexico City next year.

Sanford Richardson, Commissioner of Social Development in Anguilla, informed the participants that the principles on which the Convention was being developed were already reflected in his Department’s strategic plan. He took the opportunity to encourage eligible persons to join the Anguilla Retired Persons Association, now in its formative stage.
Meanwhile, persons or organisations desirous of obtaining a copy of the draft Convention circulated at the forum, should contact the Department of Social Development during working hours.

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