ThePresident of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has by Proclamation declared Thursday, October 1, 2015 as “United Nations World Older People Day” to be observed throughout Liberia as a Working Holiday.

The observance is in recognition of issues affecting the elderly and to appreciate the contributions they have made to society in the areas of Education, Medicine, Economic, Science and Technology, Social Services, History and Preservation of Cultural Heritage.

The Proclamation further said that bearing in mind the legal and moral standards and expectations already set in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to modify laws, regulations and customs that discriminate against older women, and the Resolution of the African Union to protect the rights of the older people is to be observed on that day.

The Proclamation calls upon all national and international organizations, United Nations agencies near Monrovia, schools and other institutions of learning as well as the citizens in general to cooperate with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in organizing appropriate program befitting the occasion and collaborate with the non-governmental organizations such as the Coalition of Caregivers and Advocates for the Elderly in Liberia (COCAEL).

This year’s celebrations will demonstrate its appreciation for the contributions of the elders towards the socio-economic development of the country, by a three-day awareness parade from September 30 to October 2, 2015, as well as hosting of the first National Conference of Aging and the formal launching of COCAEL.

According to the Proclamation, the United Nations General Assembly on December 14, 1990 adopted a Resolution 45/106 declaring October 1 of each year requesting all member states to observe this day as “United Nations World Older People Day”.