O Nosso Papel ao Advogarmos por Pessoas Idosas

Abstract

I write today as a gerontologist, as the President of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development and the current Secretary-General of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG), but most of all as a concerned citizen of the world. I write to advocate for engagement from all citizens and especially to outline what gerontologists and geriatricians can, should, and, I would say, must do as we look to 2021 and beyond. Worldwide we are living in most difficult times. We are facing a number of significant problems with both current and long-lasting implications. Certainly, this is the case in Brazil, where the coronavirus has hit hard and where economic and political troubles are at crises levels. Of course, Brazil is not alone. Similar crises are being faced in my own country (the US) and in many countries around the world. All the more reason to emphasize that we are in this together and must work together if we are to successfully address the crises we face.My comments and recommendations are drawn from my experience as head of the IAGG's UN team. Since the Brazilian Geriatrics and Gerontology Society is a member of IAGG, this means IAGG's UN team is also your team. The team is mainly based at the UN Headquarters in NY and I hope you will be proud to know that one of our long-standing members is Brazil's own Dr. Laura Machado. The main goal of the team is to advocate for older people in issues being addressed by the UN.