Page 382 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

strengthened through the cooperation of all of the actors in the world arena
and in particular civil society and NGOs. It is also my hope that initiatives such
as today's and the collective efforts of all of us in the international community
will truly contribute to an improvement in the basic welfare of all members of
the human family.

It is our collective responsibility to make sure that old age does not
become synonymous with economic insecurity, exclusion from health
care benefits, social discrimination, loneliness and despair. To this end, the
United Nations asserts the fundamental rights of older people to
independence, participation, dignity and self-fulfillment, and will continue to
work to ensure that the needs and interests of older persons are adequately
addressed - for it is only then that the desired results will be felt by all
peoples of the United Nations. This is of course, part of the broader UN
strategy which envisages the bridging of societal divisions instead of the
widening of generational gaps - making it possible for different age groups
not only to coexist - but to participate together in the shared enterprise of
citizenship.

Thank you for your attention.

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