Forum 1: Unveiling Ageism, Elder Abuse and Rights in the Age of COVID-19
On the 1 March 2021 an expert international panel discussed how COVID-19 shines a light on ageism and elder abuse in our communities and institutions. Speakers described the social, economic and rights-based tools to combat elder abuse already available or within our grasp, and the steps we need to take. You can watch the forum below:
“The timing is critical and now is the time to act decisively and strategically!”
Forum 1 presenter Dr Kiran Rabheru, New Chair of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People
In December 2020, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2021-2030 the Decade of Healthy Ageing. It sends a clear signal that working together with governments, civil society and the private sector will improve the lives of older people, their families and communities. This free online forum is for anyone who wants to end elder abuse now.
COVID-19 has focused the eyes of the world on the experiences of older people like no other event in recent history. With this momentous shock comes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to call out elder abuse and ageism globally, and improve fairness, rights and dignity in later life. Our forum draws together some of the most eminent voices in Australian and abroad – people who walk the talk every day.
“You owe it to your loved ones and your future self to be at this event.”
Forum 1 moderator Bev Lange, EO of Elder Abuse Action Australia
Forum 1 Topics
- How has the COVID-19 experience of Italy enabled and exposed the abuse of older people’s rights?
- How has COVID-19 enabled and exposed the abuse of older people’s rights in residential aged care?
- How can economic and social investments in healthy ageing contribute to the prevention of elder abuse?
- Is an investment in climate action an investment in healthy ageing?
- Age discrimination is a major factor in elder abuse. What can governments and the community do to counteract the pervasive effects of ageism?
- How has COVID-19 influenced attempts to raise support for a global convention on the rights of older persons?
Speakers in order of presentation:
Professor Diego de Leo AO
Professor Diego de Leo AO
Professor de Leo is Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Griffith University in Brisbane, where he is Director Emeritus of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention. Among his many impressive national and international achievements and appointments, Professor de Leo is the President of the World Alliance of Crisis Helplines (WACH). He is co-author of the 2020 scholarly articles “COVID-19 and the Fears of Italian Senior Citizens” and “Nursing homes or abandoned castles: COVID-19 in Italy”. More information
Sarah Bolt
Sarah Bolt
Sarah Bolt is Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner. Her career is marked by change and diversity. Sarah moved into the world of social justice with the Equal Opportunity Commission (South Australia) from private legal practice. Inspired by an extremely hot Adelaidian summer came a change in professional direction - Station Leader at Antarctica's Mawson Station. In 2005 Sarah was appointed Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Tasmania, to which she was reappointed in 2017 after a period as the Police Ombudsman (South Australia).
Ian Yates AM
Ian Yates AM
Ian Yates is Chief Executive of COTA Australia . Ian serves on a wide variety of federal government and aged care sector national bodies. He is also a member of the Consumer Advisory Panel to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, a Director of Livable Housing Australia, and a member of the Advisory Board of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research. He is a former Deputy Chancellor of Flinders University. More information
Professor John Beard
Professor John Beard
John Beard is a professor at the University of New South Wales and works globally with academia, policy makers and the private sector to reimagine the second half of life. He is a commissioner with the US National Academy of Medicine Commission on Healthy Longevity, and from 2009 to 2019 led the WHO’s work on ageing.
The Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO
The Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO
Dr Patterson is Australia’s Age Discrimination Commissioner. Prior to her appointment on 29 July 2016, she taught allied health science at university and went on to develop Victoria’s first post-graduate diploma in gerontology and to introduce gerontology into undergraduate courses. Her strong interest in issues affecting older Australians continued following her election to the Senate in 1987 and later appointment to the Cabinet in 2001. She is currently Director of the Brockhoff Foundation and honorary Professorial Fellow at Monash University. More information
Dr Kiran Rabheru
Dr Kiran Rabheru
Dr Rabheru is Chair of the Steering Committee for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP), a network of over 380 members from over 80 counties worldwide. GAROP seeks a world in which older people live free from discrimination and are able to fully enjoy their rights. Among many other prestigious appointments, Dr Rabheru is a Full Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa, a Geriatric Psychiatrist at The Ottawa Hospital and Chair of the Board of the International Longevity Centre. More information
The Walk the Talk Forum Series 2021 is a project of Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA) and COTA Tasmania, assisted by the Program Committee of the National Elder Abuse Conference 2022.
- EAAA is funded by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department.
- The elder abuse prevention work of COTA Tasmania is supported by funding from the Tasmanian Government.
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