DATE: 19 September 2024 (Thursday)
TIME: 9:30–10:45 EST (New York) | 15:30–16:45 CEST (Geneva)

The concept of intergenerational solidarity forms an essential cornerstone for the Summit of the Future. The Summit of the Future responds to Our Common Agenda’s call for solidarity between generations to ‘break through towards a more positive future’. To do so, the Summit will focus on the Pact for the Future, which includes reference to the establishment of ‘intergenerational dialogues’, and its annexed Declaration on Future Generations, which underscores intergenerational solidarity as an ‘indispensable part of the foundation for the prosperity of future generations’.

However, to benefit from the transformative power of intergenerational solidarity, it must be implemented in its fullest form across all sectors and issues, and throughout the actions being proposed under the Summit of the Future. For example: 

1) In urging present generations to act with responsibility for the needs and interest of future generations, we must recognise the role of both younger and older persons in generating change together in the present day. In doing so, we can harness the unique skills, knowledge, experiences, and contributions that people of all ages have to offer and, in the spirit of solidarity, avoid creating further societal divides.

2) In calling for a commitment to take future generations into account in our present actions, we must note that the composition of future generations includes both younger and older persons – particularly when considering demographic trends and projections that indicate future generations will be, on average, older than current generations. In this sense, our duty in the spirit of intergenerational solidarity to descendants who do not yet exist is to both future younger and older persons alike.

3) The present generation of younger persons is likely to live longer than ever before. Yet the complex, intersecting challenges we face today mean that the achievement of their full potential including into later life is not yet guaranteed. The Summit of the Future is an opportunity to secure true intergenerational solidarity by committing to actions that improve the lives of people of all ages – including a future older age for current younger persons that can be enjoyed with good health, well-being, meaning, dignity, and rights.

This side event brought together a coalition of stakeholders, including UN agencies, Member States, and civil society organisations, to outline how the power of intergenerational solidarity can be fully and practically leveraged to create a better future – for everyone, younger and older. This event featured an intergenerational roundtable presenting practical examples on how intergenerational practice can be applied across the Summit of the Future’s deliberations. The roundtable grounded the discussion by unpacking major themes from the Summit as examples from which to explore the broader principles and benefits of intergenerational solidarity.

Objectives
 

• To underscore the importance of intergenerational solidarity and its centrality to the Summit of the Future, the Pact for the Future, and the Declaration on Future Generations as a response to the complex challenges faced by the world
• To highlight existing frameworks, instruments, and resources from the UN system that support the power of intergenerational solidarity to protect human rights, promote better health and well-being, and transform our societies and communities to be a better place for people of all ages
• By presenting examples of existing work by a global coalition of stakeholders including UN agencies, Member States, and civil society organisations, concretely outline how we can harness the benefits of intergenerational solidarity for building inclusive, just, and sustainable societies, particularly in relation to key themes of the Summit of the Future
• In preparation for the Summit of the Future deliberations, encourage an inclusive understanding of intergenerational solidarity which, in the spirit of leaving no one behind, incorporates both current and future generations of younger and older persons

Speakers (in order of programme)
 

• H.E. Mr Enrique Manalo – Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Philippines (by video)
• Alana Officer – Unit Head, Demographic Change and Healthy Ageing Unit, WHO
• Julia Ferre – Social Affairs Officer, Programme on Ageing Section, UN DESA
  
• Chitralekha Massey – Chief of Section for the Rights of Older Persons, OHCHR
  
• Marlane Krasovitsky – Global Campaign to Combat Ageism Secretariat, WHO
• Panel Moderator: Valeria Colunga – UN Foundation Next Generation Fellow
• Erica Dhar – International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse Main Representation to the United Nations
• Ruairidh Smith – Policy Officer, Generations Working Together
• Annie Wright – Global Inclusion Adviser, HelpAge International
• H.E. Mr Rui Vinhas – Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations