Attachment A

"DECLARATION OF SAN SALVADOR"

We, the First Ladies, Spouses and Representatives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas, having met in San Salvador, EI Salvador on 19-21 November 2007 during the XIV Conference dedicated to considering the theme "Building a Society for All Ages".

CONSIDERING:

1. That the world, and in particular this region, is going through an unprecedented demographic transformation, and in view of medical technological breakthroughs, scope and improvement of the health conditions of the population there has been a substantial increase of longevity of men and women, which constitutes a first degree social achievement of the human being and clearly reflects the progress and improvement of the human condition.

2. That this demographic change demonstrates the need to include ageing in the design of policies, as well as the importance of incorporating older persons as a priority group of such policies.

3. That the general interest in building fair and inclusive societies requires the adoption of political, economical, social, cultural and legal measures that are coordinated, sustainable, well-defined and aimed at the comprehensive attention and promotion of older persons at the local, national, regional, and international level.

4. The importance of reaffirming our commitment and our will to collaborate in the specific tasks of our governments and all sectors of civil society, the relevant bodies of the United Nations System, the Inter-American System, other international organizations and international cooperation efforts within our countries, in order to implement the Political Declaration and the International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing, Madrid, Spain 8-12 April 2002, and subsequent follow-up meetings.

5. That the United Nations Commission for Social Development adopted in its resolution 44/1 of 17 February 2006, the calendar and the global theme of the first review and appraisal of the implementation of the Madrid Plan of Action: "Addressing the Challenges and Opportunities of Ageing".

6. That the General Assembly of the United Nations1 has requested the Regional Commissions to identify appropriate modalities to carry out the regional five-year review and appraisal of the implementation of the Political Declaration and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.

7. That the lessons learned in the process of support for social policies constitute essential components for the five-year review and appraisal at the regional level mentioned above.

1A/RES/61/142 as of 30 January 2007

8. That the importance of the role we play in the promotion, encouragement, management and execution of activities focused on supporting the social policies of our governments constitutes a positive factor in support of groups in situations of vulnerability, including older persons.

9. That the enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of older persons, including respect for their dignity and the elimination of all forms of discrimination, neglect, abuse and violence against them, are essential for their overall wellbeing and for the development of our societies.

10. That it is in our interest to actively promote the full inclusion and participation of older persons in society, through support for all types of policies aimed at facilitating their effective contribution to the comprehensive development of their families and communities, according to their capabilities, skills, experiences and wisdom.

11. The importance of recognizing and incorporating the mainstreaming of ageing in local, national, regional and international economic and social development strategies and plans, as appropriate, including hunger and poverty eradication strategies.

12. That the efforts made by our governments to reach internationally-agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, take into account the situation of older persons.

13. That it is necessary to strengthen gender mainstreaming in every policy and program that takes into account the needs and experience and potential of older persons.

14. The strong trend towards the feminization of ageing and therefore the need to formulate policies and programs aimed at benefiting women throughout the life cycle, with special emphasis on older women.

15. That the growing number of the ageing population requires special training and awareness for medical personnel, paramedics, and care givers, in order to provide appropriate healthcare services for that segment of the population as well as in the field of social services.

16. That the high incidence and prevalence of chronic-degenerative diseases that affect older persons requires that the healthcare systems of our countries face this challenge.

17. That ageing in some cases may generate dependence and disabilities that require services oriented to their holistic care.

18. The need for older persons to receive all available information and education about protection, risks and self-care factors so they are capable of making informed decisions with regard to their health.

19. That it is necessary to promote solidarity and respect among generations as well as the establishment of intergenerational alliances and associations in order to strengthen the fight against discrimination based on age to achieve full and equal participation of older persons in society.

20. That it is important to actively contribute to increased public awareness of the ageing of society as a way to create an enabling environment to improve the sustained role of older persons, so that they are recognized and accepted as valuable members of the family, community and society.

21. That it is important to make a comprehensive examination of the effects of migration on the ageing dynamics of communities of origin, transit and destination of migrants; its impact on migrants, families, communities and societies; and on the economic and social development of the countries.

22. That it is necessary to take into account the effects of HIV/AIDS on older persons, including the access to preventive services, treatment, care and support as well as the valuable support of older persons in caring for their own families when they are affected by the epidemic; likewise, the education of adolescents and youth in their role as promoters of change as well as in the creation of a positive environment free of stigma and discrimination against persons who live with HIV/AIDS.

23. That it is also necessary to take into account the causes and effects of other transmittable diseases on older persons to improve coverage, quality and access to social and healthcare services, and the effective participation of families and society.

24. The importance of self-organization and empowerment of older persons in the creation of opportunities that effectively contribute to the strengthening of civic participation and the exercise of their rights.

25. That older persons in situations of marginalization, poverty and abandonment are more vulnerable than those that have the support and attention of their families and therefore they should receive priority attention and protection.

26. That hunger and poverty eradication still constitutes the main challenge for the international community; therefore it has been decided to reflect this situation in the context of the United Nations Millennium Declaration, in particular in the Millennium Development Goals, which should be achieved by the year 2015.

27. That the skills, knowledge, values and attitudes promoted through educational processes, including for literacy and continued education, are integrated into life and strongly contribute to an active and healthy ageing for the individual and family, as well as socially, and contribute to the strengthening of the intergenerational relationship.

28. That older persons should have the opportunity to have access to the educational, spiritual, cultural and recreational resources of society.

The First Ladies, Spouses and Representatives of Heads of State and Governments of the Americas Agree to:

1. Actively promote at the local, national, regional and international level, "Building a Society for All Ages" that takes into account the full inclusion and participation of older persons into our societies, ensuring the respect for their capabilities, skills, experiences and wisdom, as well as strengthening their contribution to the economic and social development of our countries.

2. Support the efforts made by our governments to promote full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms of older persons and to eliminate all forms of discrimination, neglect, abuse and violence against them, in accordance with the principles of participation, independence, care, self-fulfillment and dignity in favor of older persons, based on the International Plan of Action on Ageing.

3. Widely promote the mainstreaming of ageing in the national economic and social development plans in our countries, in particular those regarding the eradication of hunger and poverty designed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, as appropriate.

4. Create awareness among the international community, especially financial institutions, private foundations and other donors in order to strengthen international cooperation for development through the support of policies implemented by our governments that benefit older persons.

5. Support the implementation of strategies that remove barriers to work and empower older persons to enter, remain, or return to the labor field, in accordance with their capabilities and willingness to work, in conformity with national legislation.

6. Support and promote new roles for older persons that allow them to participate actively in the development of our societies.

7. Actively support the promotion of gender mainstreaming into all policies and programs that take into account the needs and experiences of older persons.

8. Support the strengthening of training of service providers involved in programs and health services through the inclusion of courses on geriatric and disabilities issues in medical and nursing schools and other related health fields.

9. Support the training of social services providers through education on geriatric issues.

10. Promote the collection of statistical socio-demographic and epidemiological data, as well as research with a gender perspective that contributes to the knowledge of dynamics related to the incidence and prevalence of chronic-degenerative diseases in older persons, which contribute to the design of strategies for effective prevention.

11. Promote the inclusion in the healthcare system of specific programs for the holistic care of older persons including information and education on protection, risks and self-care.

12. Promote public and private sector strategies that allow the healthcare systems of our countries to prevent, control and provide care for chronic-degenerative diseases associated with older persons designed to maintain good health and optimum quality of life and reduce risks and social and economic consequences.

13. Promote an integrated social, healthy and active ageing approach.

14. Support programs and projects designed to raise public awareness in our countries, to create an enabling environment related to ageing and to ensure that older persons are recognized and appreciated as valuable members of society.

15. Fully support those actions designed to strengthen solidarity and respect among generations within the family and society; likewise to encourage and promote, as appropriate, the establishment of alliances and intergenerational associations with a view to eliminating all forms of discrimination, neglect, abuse and violence against older persons.

16. Encourage our governments to examine in a comprehensive manner the economic and social impact of migration on older persons, in order to identify and promote actions to alleviate the consequences of family disintegration, the disproportionate responsibilities of older persons for the care of children that live with them, as well as the economic impact on those persons who live alone.

17. Fully support the efforts of our governments in collaboration with civil society, the relevant bodies of the United Nations System, the Inter-American System, and other international organizations in relation to the services to and care of older persons, particularly, in vulnerable urban areas, rural areas and indigenous communities.

18. Promote the inclusion of HIV/AIDS issues in programs and plans designed for older persons.

19. Support and promote the establishment of older persons' organizations and encourage our governments to promote strategies to strengthen such organizations.

20. Encourage our governments and civil society to design social strategies for protecting and bringing attention to older persons, in particular those who are in situations of abandonment and poverty.

21. Promote access to literacy and education for older persons who request it, as an indispensable element for the enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

22. Motivate governments and the private sector to promote digital literacy and education, to the extent possible, to contribute to the reduction of the digital and intergenerational gap.

23. Support educational programs that promote creativity and recreation and the intellectual stimulation of older persons with content that responds to their needs and interests and allows them to achieve their learning goals and contribute their skills and knowledge to their communities.

24. Invite the relevant entities of each country to take into account the input of older persons when formulating and carrying out effective actions relative to the dignified treatment and management in all areas for older persons.

25. Support the coordination of programs designed to guarantee access, without discrimination, to comprehensive healthcare services, including rehabilitation and mental health services, for older persons with disabilities.

26. Recommend that the current efforts to achieve the internationally-agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, take into account the situation of older persons.

27. Request the Pro-Tempore Secretariat to submit this Declaration to the Regional Commissions, as appropriate, for consideration in the five-year review and appraisal of the implementation of the Declaration and the International Plan of Action on Ageing.

28. Encourage our governments to actively participate in the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Declaration and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, as a way to express the commitment and political will of our countries to actively promote the full inclusion and participation of older persons in our societies and therefore building a society for all ages.

29. Express our congratulations and gratitude to the Excellency Mrs. Ana Ligia Mixco Sol de Saca, First Lady of the Republic of El Salvador, as well as to the government and the people of

El Salvador for their hospitality and excellent conduct of the program of work of the XIV Conference of First Ladies, Spouses and Representatives of Heads of State and Governments of the Americas.

30. Welcome the offer made by the government of Honduras to host the XV Conference of First Ladies, Spouses and Representatives of Heads of State and Governments of the Americas to be held in 2009.

Adopted in San Salvador, El Salvador on 21 November 2007