The MPA Celebrates International Day of Older Persons

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The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated every year on 1 October. First established by the United Nations in 1990, the day recognises the contribution that older people make to society and shines a spotlight on issues affecting ageing populations worldwide. 

This year’s international theme is “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, and Our Rights”. This theme emphasises the crucial role older individuals play in leading local and global initiatives, advocating for their health and rights, and contributing to more resilient and equitable societies. 

 

Why This Day Matters  

By 2050, the global population aged 60 years and over is expected to double to more than 2 billion. Older adults enrich our communities with skills, experience, and wisdom, yet they often face barriers such as workplace discrimination, digital exclusion and age-related stereotypes. 

International Day of Older Persons reminds us that age is an asset. Valuing intergenerational collaboration benefits everyone: younger people gain mentorship and perspective, while older people remain active, connected and engaged. 

The 2025 United Nations International Day of Older Persons will serve as a platform for older persons to share their aspirations, advocate for their well-being, and call for the full enjoyment of their human rights. This year’s commemoration focuses on recognising and supporting the transformative role that older persons play in driving action at both local and global levels. Drawing on their expertise in areas such as health equity, financial well-being, community resilience, and human rights advocacy, older persons continue to lead efforts that strengthen societies and promote fairness across generations. The event is grounded in the Political Declaration and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002, which together articulate a global vision for a society for all ages.  

MIPAA translates this vision into action through three priority directions: older persons and development; advancing health and well-being into old age; and ensuring enabling and supportive environments. The 2025 theme, “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, and Our Rights,” echoes these principles by placing older persons at the heart of public dialogue and policy efforts.  

By celebrating their contributions and affirming their rights, this year’s observance aims to promote greater inclusion, visibility, and participation of older persons in shaping the future of communities worldwide. 

 

 

How We Can Support The Older Generations 

 

• Challenge Ageism: Speak up against stereotypes and assumptions about older people in work and everyday life. 

• Create Intergenerational Opportunities: Encourage mentoring, skills exchanges, and inclusive community events. 

• Champion Accessibility: Ensure information, events, and opportunities are inclusive and accessible. 

 

Workplaces can foster inclusion by: 

• Offering flexible work arrangements that support different life stages. 

• Providing learning and upskilling opportunities for older employees. 

• Recognising contribution: Celebrating the experience and insight that older colleagues bring. 

 

Language matters 

Language is crucial when addressing older people, including older colleagues because it shapes perceptions, conveys respect (or disrespect), and reinforces attitudes and power dynamics. Here’s why certain terms, like “oldies” and “elders,” might not always be appropriate in professional or contemporary contexts: 

1. Respect vs. Othering 

• Words matter: Language can signal either inclusion or distance. Terms like “elders” may unintentionally create a divide, implying that someone is “other” or fundamentally different based on age. 

• It can also seem patronising if the person doesn’t identify with or appreciate the term.
  

2. Cultural Context Matters 

• In some cultures, “elders” is a deeply respectful and even revered term (e.g., many Indigenous communities or collectivist societies). 

• But in professional Western or global business settings, it can feel antiquated, overly formal, or not aligned with the norms of peer-to-peer interaction. 

3. Avoiding Ageism 

• Words can reinforce stereotypes about aging, frailty, slowness, or being “out of touch.” 

• Referring to someone as an “elder” inappropriately can carry a subtext of diminishing their relevance or placing them in a paternal/maternal role they didn’t ask for. 

 4. Professional Equality

• In the workplace, language should emphasise roles, expertise, and contributions, not age. 

• Instead of “elder colleague,” say: 

• “More experienced colleague” 

• “Senior team member” (if appropriate by title) 

• “Longtime collaborator” 

• These terms focus on experience and skill, not just age. 

 

5. Personal Preference & Identity 

• Some older adults simply don’t identify with labels like “elder” or “senior”, they see themselves as active, contemporary professionals. 

• Using age-based labels can clash with how they see themselves, which may affect rapport and mutual respect. 

 

Older Voices in the Music Industry 

The music industry continues to be enriched by older musicians, from Sir Paul McCartney to Tina Turner’s legacy, to artists like Nile Rodgers and Stevie Nicks, who continue to influence and inspire. These musicians remind us that talent does not have an expiry date and that age can bring depth, creativity, and resilience. 

Age plays a vital role in shaping artistry. Many older musicians bring decades of lived experience, historical knowledge, and cultural context into their work. Their music often carries stories of different eras, political movements, and social changes, allowing audiences to connect not only with the melodies but with the lessons embedded within them. For example, the protest songs of the 1960s and 1970s, or the pioneering work of disco, punk, and hip-hop legends, continue to echo through contemporary music today. 

Older generations have also laid the groundwork for the sounds and styles that younger artists now explore. From production techniques to performance styles, many of today’s trends are rooted in innovations created by artists who have been honing their craft for decades. Beyond inspiration, these figures serve as mentors, collaborators, and role models, reminding the industry of the value of intergenerational exchange. 

Inclusion isn’t just about race, gender or background; it’s about recognising the value of every stage of life. Age brings perspective, wisdom and creativity that no industry can afford to overlook.

Resources  

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/ 

https://ageing-better.org.uk/ 

https://www.un.org/en/observances/older-persons-day 

https://scottishpensioners.org.uk/un-international-day-of-older-persons 

 

For more information or to join our GenerationMIX Employee Network, please contact: 

Helen Choudhury
Head of DEI, CSR and Wellbeing
[email protected]  

 

Safiyah Olaide
DEI, CSR and Wellness Officer
[email protected]