Joint Statement by Older & Bolder and the Children’s Rights Alliance

Introduction – All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and human rights.  During our lifecycle, these fundamental rights are challenged on a daily basis.  To mark European Day of Intergenerational Solidarity, Older & Bolder and the Children’s Rights Alliance want to stand together in defence of the rights of older people and children.  We do not see older people and children as interest groups with competing interests.  Instead, we share a belief that an age friendly Ireland will be good for people of all ages.  The Children’s Rights Alliance and Older & Bolder have identified six areas of common interest to the wellbeing of children and older people:  public services, care, income, environment, education and participation.  We intend to support each other in promoting the positive development of each of these areas in the interests of both older people and children.

Public services – children and older people rely on quality public services for their education, health and wellbeing.  Whether it is access to quality education or a community lifelong learning project, quick referral from a GP to a specialist or a high standard of hospital care, access to quality public services can have a real impact on the quality of a child’s and older person’s life. 

Caring – at different stages in the lifecycle every individual cares and is cared for.  Older people and children provide care and are cared for. Many older people provide valuable child care for their grandchildren, other relatives and peers. The stages of the lifecycle – allowing each of us to rely on each other at a different time – galvanises relationships and strengthens bonds. We are not ‘target groups’ to be defined by age alone, but are members of families and communities dependent upon one another and this should be reflected in how the State supports care givers and recipients.

Impact of financial decision making – an adequate and secure income is essential for a decent quality of life, and particularly so in the earlier and later stages of the lifecycle. The Child Benefit payment and the State Pension go some way to supporting the quality of life of children and older people respectively and do much to combat the risk of poverty.

Age-friendly Environments – children and older people require a supportive, secure and accessible environment; both groups are highly dependent on public transport and are high level users of public spaces like parks and libraries.  Children deserve and require a decent childhood, as they prepare for adulthood. For older people, participation in physical, social and cultural activities is essential to ensure they remain healthy and active members of society, capable of an ongoing contribution to communities.

Education and Lifelong learning - investing in education is essential.  It is well-documented that quality investment in high quality early childhood care and education will pay dividends in later life, and will pave the way for a happy and fulfilled childhood.  Reaching your potential does not have an age-tag, when older people participate in educational activities, as teachers or learners, there are personal and societal benefits.

Genuine Participation – too often, older people and children’s voices are not heard in decisions that affect them.  Yet, from their experience of hospitals and buses to playgrounds and schools, older people and children are experts in their own lives and should be listened to.  They should be invited to participate in meaningful ways in decisions that affect them. Children and older people’s knowledge and real life understanding can help the State provide better services to its citizens.