GLOBAL EDUCATION MOTIVATORS AND
CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE PRESENT
UN DAY 99
The United Nations and You

An Intergenerational Look at Human Rights

HUMAN RIGHTS IN ACTION

3rd Annual Conference for Grades 9-12
in honor of the United Nations

Friday, October 22, 1999


Chestnut Hill College
9601 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118

[page 2--Program Information]
The United Nations and You
Action for Human Rights
An Intergenerational Look at Human Rights
Friday, October 22, 1999

Chestnut Hill College and GEM, Inc. invite students in grades 9-12 to a day-long action conference in connection with the United Nations.

“Nothing is certain except death and taxes,” an old saying goes. Our UN Day 99 program looks at the experience of growing old—something we all hope to do comfortably. Every culture provides in some way for its older citizens. Those provisions and the culture’s attitudes toward old age go a long way toward determining whether an older person feels happy or miserable. Students will have the opportunity to participate in discussion groups on human rights topics that are specifically connected to aging and the International Year of Older Persons.

The purpose of the discussion groups is to explore the interaction between age and human rights and to develop action plans to take back to schools and communities for promoting dignity throughout life. Two selected students from each school will have the opportunity to go to the United Nations in December to present their plans to UN officials.

This year's invited keynote speaker is Jean Smith, Director, International Programs, AARP/UN. The keynote address is entitled “Human Rights Across the Generations.”



Join us on October 22^nd!

[page 3--Schedule]
UN DAY 99 Schedule

9:00 AM REGISTRATION
Fournier Hall
 
9:30-10:30 AM PLENARY I
Welcome
Keynote address: “Jean Smith,Director, International Programs, AARP/UN, "Human Rights Across the Generations."

 
10:30-11:45 AM DISCUSSION GROUPS
(A) Intergenerational Living at Home (E) International Year of Older Persons
(B) A Society for all Ages (F) Age Discrimination
(C) Intergenerational Living in Africa (G) Effects of Leaving Home
(D) The Impact of Aging on Society (H) Suicide

 
Noon LUNCH
Lunch (Provided by Chestnut Hill College)
 

12:30-2:00 PM Closing Plenary

Human Rights Across a Lifetime
(Report on Discussions and Human Rights Day at the UN)
[Online Registration Form]

The United Nations and You
Chestnut Hill College
9601 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118

Discussion Groups

(A) Intergenerational Living at Home
(B) A Society for all Ages
(C) Intergenerational Living in Africa
(D) The Impact of Aging on Society
(E) International Year of Older Persons
(F) Age Discrimination
(G) Effects of Leaving Home
(H) Suicide

[page 5--Background]
Background on The International Year of Older Persons
Many societies, the Unites States included, face a demographic anomaly. Modern medicine and sanitation have lengthened the average life expectancy. Further, as birthrates level off or decline, the percentage of older persons will increase. In recognition of this fact the General Assembly of the United Nations approved Resolution 47/5, designating the year 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons (IYOP).

Older people have a great deal to offer. They have a special perspective on change. They have lived through some form of many of the problems that younger people face now and can offer calm and caring insights. Older people often have special physical and medical needs, too, that societies around the world must be prepared to meet if they hope to keep their citizens happy and productive.

The United Nations views aging as a human rights issue. While the emphasis in 1999 is on “Older Persons,” the program recognizes the importance of the continuity of life and the need for governments to respect and provide for the needs of citizens of all ages. How can we best meet those goals?

[page 6--Human Rights Day Information]
Human Rights Day, December 10^th, 1999