We have given them wings, but do we allow them to fly?.... Beyond policy to practice Considerations for empowering, employing and engaging Older People Femada Bibi Shamam

Background International Plan of Action on Ageing 3 priority directions ◦ Older people and Development ◦ Creating an enabling and supportive environment ◦ Healthy and Active Ageing REALISATION OF RIGHTS

South African Delegation Included a 4 th priority – Protection into the SA Policy on Ageing Translated into the Older Persons Act 13/2006 – effective SA Charter for Older Persons – March 2011

SA STATISTICS Mid year population estimates (2011) ◦ Total population : million ◦ 7.7% over the age of 60 (3.9 million)

Can governments in developing countries be all things to all people

Proposal Strengths‘ based perspective Care provision Strengths' based wisdomvaluesSkills

OP, Taxation and the cost of care 8 % of population in developing countries are over 60; 20% in developed countries Global population of older persons will grow by 29 million each year(between 2010 and 2050) 80 % of this increase – developing countries 2050 – OP will make up 20% of the population in developing countries

Can the Governments continue to sustain subsidised services? We are creating a funnel At the top the population of older people is growing (demand for services increases) At the bottom, the amount that can be raised through taxes is decreasing (supply is low) The result is that the needs will not be met Need to look of new ways to match the demand with the supply

Time to review Retirement policies? Are these still relevant? What about abolishing them? Older people becoming economically active in a different way? ? Social Businesses

Social Business Operated like any other business with two exceptions: 1.The investors agree not to take any money from the company beyond their original investment 2.The overriding goal is to deliver a particular social benefit to people in need

Why would this work for older people? They have the time to devote themselves totally to the benefit of others in the community Provides a mechanism for older people to continue to contribute meaningfully to the communities they reside in

Empowerment of OP Sensitising older people to their rights but is society ready and willing to afford them these rights? Empowerment = breaking down the “welfare mentality” Entitlement coupled with responsibility

Marketing older people

Changing Narratives Real power in the hands of the older people Too optimistic? So what?

Poverty eradication = empowerment + economic development

Concluding comments Older people’s role in the workforce – perhaps a different role Empowerment – rights and responsibilities Changing the rules of engagement ◦ Marketing older people ◦ Inspiring change Be the change you want to see in the world

FEMADA SHAMAM THANK YOU