WHEN:
May 7, 2025
10 AM to 11:30 AM Pacific /
1 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern
ASL Interpretation available
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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.
