WHEN:
May 7, 2025
10 AM to 11:30 AM Pacific /
1 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern
ASL Interpretation available
REGISTER HERE
ABOUT
Canada has a long-standing history of leading Human Rights movements, starting with the 1948 UN vote to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – a promise of freedom, equality and justice for all. Today older adults represent the fastest growing demographic yet we know that they do not enjoy the same protections as others.
Two milestone events this past year are Moving Forward with the UN convention, towards becoming a reality in our lifetime.
- In May 2024, during the UN Open Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA14) proceedings, Member States adopted a Resolution which included the recommendation to begin drafting a UN convention centered on the rights of older persons.
- On April 3rd, 2025 a historic decision by the 58th Human Rights Council in Geneva was made to start drafting this legally binding instrument.
These landmark achievements could not have happened without a growing global advocacy movement and the positive influence of engaged governments and stakeholders. With this new chapter, we begin building a world where everyone can live and age with the dignity and respect they deserve.
CNPEA and EAPO invite you to be part of the dynamic conversations underway, as the champions of these advocacy campaigns share their perspectives and enlighten us about the road ahead.
SPEAKERS
Silvia Perel-Levin
Independent consultant on ageing, health and human rights of older persons
Silvia Perel-Levin is an advocate for the human rights of older persons and an independent consultant. She has been working in the fields of human rights, ageing, and health for 25 years with international organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Before that, she was a theatre and TV producer.
Silvia represents at the UN the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance (ILC GA) advocating for the adequate inclusion of older persons at the Human Rights Council, and promoting a UN Convention on the human rights of older persons. She is vice-chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing in Geneva, Committee she chaired from April 2014 to April 2022. Silvia edited the book “Ageing of the Oppressed: A Pandemic of Intersecting Injustice” published in September 2023.
Ellen Graham
Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP)
Ellen Graham is currently the Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP), a unique coalition of over 400 NGOs world-wide, focused on campaigning for the human rights of older persons and specifically for a new UN convention on the rights of older persons.
Previously she has worked as an analyst for the UK government and a senior policy adviser for the New Zealand government. She was also the EU Policy Adviser managing HelpAge International’s Brussels office for seven years where she was responsible for influencing EU policy on humanitarian aid and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, mobilizing HelpAge’s EU network, and managing relationships with a range of stakeholders. Ellen has extensive experience in developing and managing diverse networks sharing a common purpose. She has been advocating for the human rights of older people for almost 15 years.
She participated in the UN’s Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing sessions between 2013 and 2024 and more recently in Human Rights Council meetings in Geneva between 2022 and 2024. Ellen manages the Secretariat of the Global Alliance, coordinating the collective advocacy and campaigning activities of its members and working with a variety of partners on joint initiatives.
Ina Voelcker
Co-Chair of Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) Steering Group, BAGSO - German National Association of Senior Citizens‘ Organisations
Ina Voelcker is the Head of the Secretariat for International Policy on Ageing at BAGSO, the German National Association of Senior Citizens’ Organisations. She coordinates BAGSO’s international work which involves representing older persons’ interests in international policy debates and fostering the exchange of senior citizens’ organisations from various countries.
Previously, Ina was technical director with the International Longevity Centre Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, where she coordinated among others the implementation of the age-friendly cities project. During this time, she was part of the international affairs committee of the Global Alliance of ILCs.
Before she worked with HelpAge International in London on the global review of MIPAA undertaken together with UNFPA. She holds academic degrees in Gerontology (BA) from the University of Vechta, Germany and Public Policy and Ageing (MA) from the University of London, UK.
Margaret Gillis
Founding President of the International Longevity Centre Canada
Margaret Gillis is the founding President of the International Longevity Centre Canada, a human rights based organization, and Co-President of the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance, which is an alliance of 16 Centres around the world dedicated to the needs of older people. She is also a “Community Ambassador” for Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario an organization providing education, training and information on elder abuse.
An award winning executive and innovative leader, Margaret played a key role in establishing the Age-friendly Community Program in Canada and internationally. Other career highlights include the establishment of the “Canadian Coalition Against Ageism” a nation-wide social change movement to combat ageism.
Margaret has strong credentials in regard to human rights, working with and speaking at the UN General Assembly on behalf of older people. Margaret has been actively working for a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons in Canada and internationally. With a background in health promotion, protection and programming, Margret is committed to improving the rights of older people.
WHEN
May 6, 2025
10 AM to 11:30 AM Pacific / 1PM to 2:30 PM Eastern
REGISTER HERE
ABOUT
Future Us was launched in March 2022 as a pan-Canadian roadmap to the prevention of elder abuse. Join us on Tuesday, May 6 to find out what has been happening across Canada over the past 3 years to advance a national dialogue on the Strategy's three goals :
- Prioritize prevention of elder abuse and neglect in every community
- Establish and support elder abuse prevention networks at local, regional, and national levels
- Teach everyone to recognize warning signs of abuse and neglect, how to respond safely and effectively and where to refer in the community to find help
Stories of growth, challenge and change will be shared from across Canada to acknowledge the steady commitment and ingenuity of grassroots leaders and networks. An interactive discussion with advocates from provincial and territorial Elder Abuse Prevention Networks will impart their experiences strengthening and developing new networks unique to their jurisdiction, forming creative alliances, and working strategically across communities and with all levels of government to achieve our common goals.
This webinar will inspire people of all ages to engage in the Future Us movement and join our shared journey to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive society.
Facilitator
Margaret MacPherson
Research Associate, Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children Margaret designs and develops curriculum and related materials on a number of initiatives including the Make It Our Business workplace domestic violence program and It’s Not Right! Neighbours, Friends and Families for Older Adults. Margaret is passionate in her belief that everyone has an important contribution to make in creating safe and supportive environments at work and in our communities.
WATCH THE RECORDING
DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES
WHEN
March 20, 2025
From 10 AM to 11 AM Pacific /
From 1:00 to 2:00 PM Eastern
ESL Interpretation provided
As Canadians prepare to file their taxes this year, scammers are already devising schemes. Scammers may pose as Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Service Canada agents or other authority figures to try to steal your personal information, identity or money.
EAPO in collaboration with CNPEA, have invited Stephane Senecal, Senior Support Unit Coordinator from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to inform Canadians on how to protect themselves from tax scams. In this webinar, you will learn how to recognize types of tax schemes, how they work, and their consequences. The presentation will provide examples of some of the latest tax-related scams, tips to protect yourself against scams and frauds, and how to report a scam or suspicious activity to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
PRESENTER
Stephanie Senecal
Senior Support Unit Coordinator, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Ontario Provincial Police
WATCH THE RECORDING
ACCESS THE SLIDES (PDF)
WHEN
Wednesday, February 26
10 AM to 11 AM Pacific /
1 PM to 2 PM Eastern
ASL interpretation available
ABOUT
To mark Pink Shirt Day, CNPEA and Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario are hosting a special webinar on bullying prevention among older people. EAPO is partnering with the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research, and the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf as they undertake a Senior’s Anti-Bullying Implementation & Evaluation Project to better understand senior to senior bullying in Ontario, and support the development of best practices and strategies.
Join this webinar to hear the “lessons” learned so far during the implementation and evaluation of the Senior’s Anti-bullying Project and what initiatives are coming up in the project’s future. An overview of the Solutions: Everybody’s Business Senior to Senior Anti-Bullying Toolkit will be provided, and presenters will address the toolkit is being used in community settings, as well as updates and additions being made based on engagement and input from seniors.Learn more here.
PRESENTERS
Liza Franses, Project Manager, Sheridan Centre for Elder Research
Liza (Leeza) Franses is an older adult advocate that has worked with diverse older adult communities in Toronto & the GTA. Her background ranges from working with older adults in long-term care to adult day programs, managing a multicultural Seniors Active Living Centre, to currently working as the Project Manager of the Senior’s Anti-Bullying Project.
Dr. Kirsten Madsen, Project Director Seniors' Anti-Bullying Project, Sheridan College
Dr. Kirsten Madsen is a faculty member at Sheridan College. She received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of Sheffield in England. Specifically, her graduate work was with the Sheffield University anti-bullying project. Since then she went on to assess what anti-bullying strategies were being implemented by schools across England.
Niki Golnabi, Facilitator, Seniors' Anti-Bullying Project, Sheridan College
Niki is an Iranian-Canadian student studying Early Childhood Education at Sheridan College. She is currently a facilitator with the Seniors’ Anti-bullying Project, as well as a student educator at a childcare centre in Oakville. Niki started her studies in the Animation program at Sheridan, but later became interested in being actively involved in building strong and diverse communities, by directly learning from the people in them. She is drawn to projects that are focused on implementing creative ideas, and believes secure connections are a core necessity at any age in life.
When:
January 28 and 29, 2025
From 9 AM to 12:30 Pacific /
From 12 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern
Free
Register HERE
Designed for Elder Abuse Prevention professionals.
Despite growing awareness around the identification, prevention, and response to older adult mistreatment, abuse and neglect, significant barriers remain when addressing these issues through an ethnocultural lens. Existing resources often take a one-size-fits-all approach, overlooking the intersectionality of ethnicity, language, and culture that shapes the experiences of diverse older adults and their communities.
This presentation explores the role of cultural compassion in effectively addressing older adult mistreatment, focusing on the unique needs and challenges faced by ethnocultural communities. This workshop goes beyond foundational knowledge to explore nuanced cultural perspectives on aging, respect, and family roles.
Participants will learn strategies for fostering empathy, understanding cultural indicators of mistreatment, and tailoring interventions that honour each individual’s cultural identity.
Workshop Facilitator
Dr. Rose Joudi (Ph.D. Psych.) is an aging and ethnic diversity researcher, consultant, and international speaker on elder abuse and ageism. She was the Research Lead on an ethnocultural elder abuse awareness project with Carya (Calgary, AB), and is currently the Project Manager for The Way In Network (TWIN) at Carya. Dr. Joudi also teaches at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Canada) on the Psychology of Aging. Dr. Joudi contributes valuable insights to the field through her background in academia and research. She also collaborates with stakeholders to address the unique needs of older adults in diverse populations. Committed to enhancing the quality of life of older adults, she actively promotes educational strategies and facilitates training sessions that include elder abuse awareness, ageism, trauma-informed care, cultural competence, and compassion when working with diverse populations. Dr. Joudi also believes in empowering professionals to adopt inclusive strategies and supporting organisations in their person-centred and directed approach to care. Dr. Joudi is a current board member of both the Alberta Association on Gerontology (AAG) and the Alberta Council on Aging (ACA). Dr Joudi also serves as an advisor for the Ministry of Seniors, Community, and Social Services in Alberta, Canada, and is a past board director for the Canadian Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA).
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