What we do

The NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva) works at the intersection of human rights, social development, health, and public policy to advance the rights and dignity of older persons across the life course.

In a context of rapid global population ageing, our work responds to a simple but urgent reality: while people are living longer, their rights are not always equally protected, recognised, or fulfilled. Older persons continue to face discrimination, gaps in legal protection, and limited visibility in policy frameworks—despite their essential contributions to society.

Our work reflects a comprehensive, rights-based approach to ageing. We promote the recognition of older persons as full rights holders, support the development of a United Nations convention on their rights, and work to combat ageism in all its forms. We also contribute to shaping inclusive policies in key areas such as health, care systems, social protection, employment, and sustainable development.

We believe that ageing is a cross-cutting issue across all public policy. We therefore support its integration into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, promote intergenerational solidarity, and advocate for the meaningful participation of older persons in decision-making processes.

Through partnerships with United Nations agencies, civil society, and research institutions, we help bridge global frameworks and local realities, combining advocacy, dialogue, and knowledge-sharing to build more inclusive societies for all ages.

Our Annual Reports provide an overview of these efforts in practice. They highlight key activities, partnerships, and achievements over the past year, and reflect our ongoing commitment to advancing the rights of older persons. We invite you to consult our two most recent reports below.

  1. Towards a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

We support the development of a legally binding United Nations convention on the rights of older persons. Through advocacy and dialogue, we contribute to a strong, inclusive instrument grounded in human rights, evidence, and lived experience.
👉 https://rightsofolderpeople.org/intergovernmental-working-group-igwg/

  1. Combating Ageism, Advancing Equality

We challenge age-based discrimination in all its forms. Our work promotes inclusive policies and public awareness to address ageism in health, employment, digital access, and society.

We also promote a gender-responsive approach to ageing, recognising the compounded inequalities faced by older women across the life course. Through engagement with initiatives such as the International Gender Champions, we support the integration of gender equality across all our activities.

👉 https://social.desa.un.org/issues/ageing
👉 https://genderchampions.com/champions/alejandro-bonilla-garcia

  1. Healthy Ageing, Care and Support Systems

Aligned with the WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), we promote inclusive health systems, long-term care, and person-centred approaches that respect dignity and autonomy.

We engage with partners including the European Ageing Network to strengthen care systems, workforce development, and quality standards.
👉 https://www.who.int/initiatives/decade-of-healthy-ageing
👉 https://www.ean.care/en

  1. Work, Social Protection and Care Across the Life Course

We address ageing through labour markets, pensions, and care systems. In collaboration with the International Labour Organization, we promote decent work, social protection, and recognition of care work across generations.

This work supports sustainable and inclusive systems that link employment, income security, and care across the life course.
👉 

    1. Age-Friendly Cities, Communities and Environments

    We support inclusive urban development through engagement with WHO and UN-Habitat initiatives. We promote accessible housing, mobility, public spaces, and services that enable older persons to participate fully in their communities.
    👉 https://www.who.int/initiatives/age-friendly-cities-and-communities
    👉 https://unhabitat.org/topic/urban-ageing

        1. Ageing and the SDGs: Advancing Agenda 2030 for All Ages

        We promote the integration of ageing across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring that older persons are visible in policies, data, and decision-making processes.

        Our work supports a life-course approach to development, recognising ageing as a cross-cutting dimension of sustainable and inclusive societies.
        👉 https://social.desa.un.org/issues/ageing

              1. Participation, Voice and Civil Society Leadership

              We promote the meaningful participation of older persons and their representative organisations in all decision-making processes.

              In line with SDG 17 on partnerships for sustainable development, we support multi-stakeholder collaboration involving governments, United Nations agencies, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Older persons are not only beneficiaries of policy—they are agents of change whose knowledge, experience, and engagement strengthen societies.

              We work with civil society networks, including the AGE Platform Europe and the European Ageing Network, to ensure that the voices of older persons are reflected in policy dialogue while strengthening links with practice and service delivery.

              We also promote the use of age-disaggregated data, working with partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to enhance the visibility of older persons in demographic and policy frameworks.
              👉 https://social.desa.un.org/issues/ageing
              👉 https://www.unfpa.org/ageing
              👉 https://www.age-platform.eu/
              👉 https://www.ean.care/en

                      1. Human Rights Institutions and Accountability

                      We collaborate with National Human Rights Institutions through the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions to strengthen accountability and implementation of older persons’ rights.

                      This work helps bridge international standards and national practice, ensuring that commitments translate into real impact.
                      👉 https://ganhri.org/history-of-ganhri-and-nhris/

                       

                      1. Knowledge, Policy Dialogue and Capacity Development

                      We contribute to research, training, and policy dialogue, including through engagement with the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.

                      Through these activities, we support evidence-based policymaking, capacity-building, and the exchange of experience across regions and sectors.

                       

                        1. Public Advocacy, Media and Thought Leadership

                        We contribute to public debate through publications and opinion pieces, including in UN-related platforms. Our work helps shape narratives, combat ageism, and promote a rights-based understanding of ageing.

                         

                        1. Partnerships for Change

                        We bring together organisations, United Nations agencies, networks, and stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and coherence across human rights, development, and ageing agendas.

                        In this context, we support and contribute to the High Commissioner’s initiative on a global coalition for human rights, aimed at mobilizing collective action to uphold, protect, and advance human rights worldwide. Through our work, we seek to ensure that the rights of older persons are fully integrated into this broader global effort.