Last week following the recent election, the GAROP Steering Group selected two new Co-chairs. Ina Voelcker of BAGSO (German National Association of Senior Citizens‘ Organisations), and Rose Gahire of NSINDAGIZA Organisation, Rwanda are the new Co-chairs of GAROP.

A message from our new Co-chairs

Our new Co-chairs, Ina Voelcker and Rose Gahire (pictured here) shared the following message with GAROP members.

‘It is an honour for us to serve in our new roles as co-chairs of GAROP with complementary perspectives and experiences.

In our new capacity, we are proud to be working with the Steering Group and the Secretariat as well as our very diverse membership all across the globe.

Ina says ‘Having served as deputy chair since 2022, I am pleased to be able to bring some continuity to the leadership group and excited to work together with Rose Gahire until the completion of my second term in 2025. The past three years in the Steering Group have provided me with the opportunity to contribute to several activities, including our successful coordination efforts among NGOs at the UN.’

Rose says ‘I am delighted to take on the role of co-chair for GAROP at this crucial moment in our shared journey. I am ready to apply my local, regional and international experience and am looking forward to bringing my passion and experience of advocacy on the rights of older persons from Rwanda and the African region, to benefit our work together.’ 

The collective and significant achievements of our Global Alliance in recent years and the huge efforts and accomplishments by our member organisations at national and international levels are a great source of motivation for us. We are inspired to enhance our collaboration
and speak with one powerful voice. We are stronger when we work together! 

We recognise the challenges ahead of us now as we shift our focus towards the Human Rights Council in Geneva. A new phase of our advocacy has started and our new three-year strategy gives us a strong framework to guide our work. We are focused on securing a decision by the UN to draft a UN convention on the human rights of older persons in the next year.

We are confident that together, as the Global Alliance, we can take big steps forward towards strengthening the protection of the human rights of older persons and are ready to guide and support these collective efforts. We look forward to engaging with you in our new
capacity as co-chairs!

We are always available to speak to members and welcome your feedback and suggestions. You can contact us via the GAROP Secretariat (info@rightsofolderpeople.org).‘

Click here to see the full and current list of GAROP Steering Group members.