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large part to strong advocacy by HelpAge International and other
non-governmental organizations (NGOs). If older people's contributions
are valued and they are seen as active participants in development proc-
esses, this requires a shift in the focus of policy from a welfare approach
to one which seeks to enhance the capacity of older people to make contri-
butions and to increase the opportunities for them to do so (Lloyd-Sherlock,
2004; Zelenev, 2008). These ideas are encompassed in the term 'active
ageing'. Although this approach has been broadly welcomed, Lloyd-Sherlock
(2004) notes that overemphasis on the active participation of older people
could potentially divert attention from the high levels of vulnerability and
dependence that some older people experience.
A number of notable UN milestones reveal the shift towards 'active
ageing' and a rights-based agenda for older people in recent years. The
first World Assembly on Ageing was held in Vienna in 1982 and resulted
in the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, which placed older
people on the international development agenda for the first time. The
UN Principles for Older Persons adopted in 1991 provided guidance in
securing the human rights of older people in relation to five quality of
life characteristics: independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment
and dignity (United Nations, 2002a). With the theme of 'towards a soci-
ety for all ages', 1999 was designated the International Year of Older
Persons. This demonstrates growing recognition of the relational nature
of older people's situation that 'cannot be considered separately from the
scope of long-term opportunities that society allows them' and an under-
standing of the need for a life-course perspective (Zelenev, 2008: 3).
The Second World Assembly on Ageing held in Madrid in 2002
resulted in the Political Consensus and the Madrid International Plan
of Action on Ageing, which remains the principal guiding policy frame-
work in relation to ageing and development to date, firmly located
within the UN's social development paradigm (Aboderin, 2008). The
Madrid Plan of Action is based on three overarching themes: a policy
approach to ageing that is integral to the development agenda; the
empowerment of older persons and full realization of their rights and
potential; and public recognition of the opportunities and challenges of
an ageing society (Zelenev, 2008: 7). While these UN milestones reveal
a growing shift towards recognition of the rights, contributions and
entitlements of older people, older people's views and experiences con-
tinue to be overlooked in mainstream development programmes, rein-
forced by negative perspectives on the consequences of global ageing for
future development.
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