The Year of Older Persons
The United Nations General Assembly decided to observe the year 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons "in recognition of humanity's demographic coming of age" and the promise that holds for "maturing attitudes and capabilities in social, economic, cultural and spiritual undertakings" (General Assembly resolution 47/5, 1992).
In response, Australia has adopted "Australia - towards a society for all ages" as the overall theme for the year.
Pru Goward* noted, "The ageing population is one of the biggest challenges our society is facing today and is an important policy focus for the Australian Government.
There are about 2.7 million men and women aged over 65 in Australia today. Around 56 per cent of those aged over 65 are women; by age 80 the proportion of women increases significantly."
This issue of the Newsletter makes a small contribution to this very important theme. In doing so we tacitly acknowledge that most of us will experience old age - something which of itself is a privilege compared with the much shorter lives of countless millions in the world - including Aboriginals.
We note that the recognition of older persons is thoroughly Christian in that it is fully Christ-like to honour and respect all people - of whatever age or gender or race or other characteristic.
Perhaps the theme is timely also, given the age profile of our own congregation. We certainly owe a great debt to those who have gone before us - building up this church and this community. We thank God for them and hope that we also can leave something worthwhile for those "to come".
*Ms Pru Goward, Executive Director, Address to the Commission on the Status of Women, New York, March 1998.
