DeepSummary
The episode discusses the rights of older people, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ken Bluestone and Geraldine van Buren share their perspectives on the term 'older people', societal attitudes towards aging, and the need for better legal protections for the rights of older individuals.
The guests highlight how the pandemic has exposed the prevalence of ageism and the devaluation of older lives in society. They argue that chronological age alone does not define a person's worth or contributions, and that negative perceptions towards the elderly must be challenged.
Bluestone and van Buren advocate for the development of a universal convention or treaty that explicitly recognizes and safeguards the rights of older persons globally. They believe such an international legal instrument can drive policy changes, reframe societal attitudes, and ensure older individuals can live with dignity and full participation.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The COVID-19 pandemic exposed widespread ageism and devaluation of older lives in society.
- Chronological age alone does not define a person's worth, contributions, or quality of life.
- Negative societal perceptions and lack of legal protections deny older people their human rights and dignity.
- An international convention is needed to establish universal standards for the rights of older persons.
- Such a convention would drive policy changes, reframe societal attitudes, and ensure older individuals can fully participate.
- Public pressure on governments is crucial to initiate the process of drafting this legal instrument.
- Older people's rights should be depoliticized and recognized as a universal human rights issue.
- Failure to protect the rights of the elderly impacts future generations as well.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “We're defined as being older by the way society treats us and the way that we're perceived by others. And I think that is one of the most critical aspects of understanding how human rights can, how we're affected by human rights and how our protection really needs to be strengthened.“ by Ken Bluestone
- “What is missing is a universal standard. So the fact that we can say categorically or uncategorically, I should say, that no matter where we are in the world, we are a human being, and that the rights that we carry with us as a human being do not change that they are inalienable rights.“ by Ken Bluestone
- “What we really need to see is far more pressure being put on governments across the globe to take that next necessary step, to take that action, and for people to demand that this international set of standards, it's international human rights, can enter for older people that process that it should begin.“ by Ken Bluestone
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Episode Information
Better Human Podcast
Adam Wagner
1/20/21
Lord Sumption has courted controversy by claiming that not all lives are of "equal value". In this timely episode Adam Wagner discusses the importance of older people's rights with Ken Bluestone, Head of policy and influencing at Age International and Geraldine van Buren, Professor of International Human Rights Law at Queen Mary University of London. The discussion was recorded just prior to Lord Sumption's comments but covers similar issues.
For show notes visit www.betterhumanpodcast.com