#StopTalkingStartDrafting: Musings on the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on Aging

In May, master's student Isaac Adedeji attended the 14^th United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on Aging (OEWGA) in New York.

Representing the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Nigeria (ADAN), Adedeji recounts his experience attending this meeting and engaging with leaders and organizations in the aging policy space.

Arriving in New York City

My heart skipped as I entered the United Nations (UN) 39-floor architecture and adjoining structures spread along Manhattan’s Turtle Bay in New York City. I imagined the magnitude of the real-life impact of decisions made there. I attended the United Nations Open-ended Working Group on Aging, the powerhouse for policies and affirmative action protecting older adults globally. With permanent UN representatives, National Human Rights Institutions, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and scholars, we advocated, deliberated, shared knowledge, and collaboratively influenced the value of a legally binding document to protect the rights of older persons globally.

I traveled 10,000 kilometers and sat behind closed doors with more than 100 delegates for over 30 hours to champion change. As a policy analyst, community-engaged advocate, and not-for-profit delegate, I approached the meetings with an analytical and problem-solving lens to interact and contribute to the discussions and to understand and improve seniors' well-being. My multidisciplinary background in medical sociology/anthropology, ethics, global health, and aging (aging and technology) was helpful.

Attending the 14^th OEWGA

Representing ADAN at the New York meeting was a significant responsibility. ADAN, a not-for-profit collaborative group and member of the OEWGA, has been at the forefront of improving community-based knowledge and management of dementia in Nigeria. ADAN established Nigeria’s first community-based early dementia assessment clinic and coordinates with civil society to pursue Nigeria’s National Dementia Policy. ADAN’s activities are facilitated by psychiatrists, neurologists, mental health experts, aging researchers, media experts, public health scholars, and social scientists like me, with skills in qualitative research, policy analysis, and change management. At the 14^th OEWGA, I advocated for cognitively impaired older adults in Nigeria and Africa, pushing for specific clauses to protect their rights in the proposed legally binding instrument for older adults. My participation in plenary sessions, side events, daily briefings, and other meetings was driven by a commitment to promote the adoption of the OEWGA recommendations.

My attendance at the 14th OEWGA was a transformative experience, both personally and professionally. The OEWGA provided a global stage for networking and learning from organizations and leading voices in the aging policy space. I engaged with groups such as AGE Platform Europe, HelpAge International, the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, the Stakeholder Group on Ageing (SGA Africa), the International Longevity Center Canada, the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, and United Way British Columbia. These interactions were invaluable, particularly given my professional connections to Canada as a graduate student in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University and with Nigeria as an advocate. The OEWGA was a timely and transformative experience, providing a necessary shift in perspective as I delved deeper into aging policy, advocacy, and implementation science.

The value of SFU Gerontology’s quality of training and research was exceptional at the meetings. SFU GERO faculty and graduates present are BC’s Seniors’ Advocate and Adjunct Professor of Gerontology, Dan Levitt; Kahir Lalji (United Way BC’s Provincial Director of Government Relations and Government Programs); Laura Kadowaki (Adjunct Professor of Gerontology and United Way BC’s Program and Operations Coordinator), and Yongjie Yon (Technical Officer at the World Health Organization).

Moving forward

The 14^th OEWGA was a significant milestone in the journey to protect the rights of older adults. The unanimous decision to adopt recommendations for a legally binding instrument marked a historic moment, explicitly documenting such recommendations for the first time. This is the time to #StopTalkingStartDrafting. The next steps include sending the OEWGA recommendations to the President of the General Assembly (PGA) and the United Nations General Assembly. The journey ahead is expected to be lengthy and challenging, requiring extensive resources, mobilization, advocacy, and lobbying efforts that are much more significant than those required for the OEWGA.

As we progress, I propose an advocacy strategy based on the Universal Design Thinking (UDT) approach. The UDT is a practical action plan that invites all stakeholders to design sustainable interventions and ensure the rights of older persons are protected. This strategy is not just a theoretical concept but a practical action plan. It is built on empathy, flexibility, and co-creation, inviting all stakeholders to design sustainable interventions. It acknowledges the disparities exacerbated by conflicts, climate change, and an aging global population. Universal Design Thinking integrates intergenerational advocacy, community building, and data and technology safety, aiming to create a widely accepted legal instrument to protect the rights of older persons. As artificial intelligence drives the next generation of technology, inclusivity becomes paramount. Furthermore, the role of new media in redefining information dissemination underscores the importance of connecting with younger generations through social media.

In conclusion, the work at the OEWGA represents a crucial step toward safeguarding the rights of older adults worldwide. Adopting a legally binding instrument is a milestone and a beacon of hope for future generations. By embracing a Universal Design Thinking approach and leveraging the power of new media, we can ensure that the rights of older adults are protected and celebrated, paving the way for a more inclusive and empathetic world.

Originally published in the SFU Gerontology Research Centre's June 2024 issue of the GRC News.