The Global Alliance

The 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC58) will take place from 24th February to 4th April 2025. Check this page on the GAROP website for regular updates and official links: Preparing for the Human Rights Council’s 58th session – The Global Alliance

(NGOs must have UN ECOSOC consultative status to participate in the HRC session itself. GAROP will also share information here about how non-ECOSOC accredited NGOs can participate and engage around the session).

This forthcoming IFA Global Cafe will centre on “Falls are preventable but we can do better: A discussion about evidence, implementation and behaviour change support,” featuring esteemed guest Prof. Dawn Skelton, Professor of Ageing and Health, Ageing Well Research Group. Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) at Glasgow Caledonian University.

To learn more and to register, click here. 

This forthcoming IFA Global Cafe will centre on “Conversations around Brain Health: Reframing expectations for patients and caregivers,” featuring esteemed guest Dr. Andrew Budson, Professor of Neurology at Boston University.

To learn more and to register, click here. 

This forthcoming IFA Global Cafe will centre on “Exploring pain management during vaccination for older adults,” featuring esteemed guest Dr. Anna Taddio, Professor, Clinical Pharmacy Research, University of Toronto.

To learn more and to register, click here. 

The 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) will be held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 2 to 22 May 2025. The session will be preceded by the NGO Forum, which will be held in hybrid format from 28 to 30 April 2025.

The Forum on the Participation of NGOs in ordinary sessions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, also known as the ‘NGO Forum’ is an advocacy platform coordinated by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) to promote advocacy, lobbying and networking among and between human rights NGOs, for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa.

For more information, click here.

This free online webinar will cover the topic of ‘supported decision-making’ as part of the ‘New Aged Care Act: What it means for you’ series.

Everyone has the right to make decisions about their life and aged care. The new Aged Care Act enshrines older people’s right to make decisions about the care and services they receive and the risks they are willing to take in legislation. Join this webinar as OPAN explores supported decision-making and supporters in the new Aged Care Act.

Date: April 29, 2025

Time: 1 – 2 pm AEST

Click here to learn more and to register.

The 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) will be held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 2 to 22 May 2025. The session will be preceded by the NGO Forum, which will be held in hybrid format from 28 to 30 April 2025.

The Forum on the Participation of NGOs in ordinary sessions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, also known as the ‘NGO Forum’ is an advocacy platform coordinated by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) to promote advocacy, lobbying and networking among and between human rights NGOs, for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa.

For more information, click here.

Debriefing for NGOs about the 58th session of the Human Rights Council – 30th April from 15:00-16:15 CEST.

The Open-ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA) successfully concluded in 2024 with the adoption of decision 14/1 and the subsequent General Assembly resolution 78/324. On 3 April 2025, UN Member States in the Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted a landmark resolution 58/13 to create a new intergovernmental working group to draft an international legally binding instrument (UN convention) on the human rights of older persons. This milestone is the culmination of many years of advocacy and campaigning by older persons, civil society and other advocates around the world. The evidence compiled over this period has demonstrated that the best solution to the deficiencies and fragmentation in the international human rights system is a dedicated convention.

A new UN convention will have a positive impact on the lives of older persons around the world today, and all of us as we age in the future. It will provide greater clarity and essential guidance to States on how to better promote and protect older persons’ rights. It will help eliminate ageism and age discrimination and ensure that older persons can seek redress for violations of their rights. This important political decision brings us closer to making enjoyment of these rights a reality. The next steps at the UN level will be to determine how the new intergovernmental working group will be resourced and organised. The full, meaningful and effective participation of civil society in this new process, especially older persons and their representative organisations, will be essential. It is vital that this drafting process is as inclusive and transparent as possible.

Co-sponsors: GAROP and the NGO COA Geneva are co-organising this debriefing as part of our ongoing work together to promote a strong presence by civil society organisations in the Human Rights Council (HRC) and Geneva-related human rights processes and to ensure effective engagement with other key stakeholders.

Objectives of the meeting:

• To reflect on the significance of the adoption of resolution 58/13
• To clarify the next steps and upcoming opportunities relevant to older persons’ rights in the HRC
• To ensure the success of the initial phase of the new intergovernmental working group

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/EgGdsk_tReGfIqem6cG2Zg

Working language: The meeting will be in English.

Audience: Please note that we are not planning to record this meeting.

Contact:

• GAROP Coordinator, Ellen Graham, graham@rightsofolderpeople.org
• Chair of the NGO COA GVA, Alejandro Bonilla Garcia, ngoageing@gmail.com