National Conference on Elderly Life and Human Rights Perspective begins at USTM
9th Mile, Khanapara, Ri Bhoi, February 10, 2025: The Department of Social Work at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) today inaugurated a two-day national conference titled “Elderly Life Matters: A Human Rights Perspective.” Sponsored by the National Human Rights Commission in New Delhi, the conference aims to address critical issues affecting the elderly from a human rights perspective.
Smt. Iamonlang M. Syiem, Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Women’s Commission, served as the Chief Guest at the event, accompanied by Smt. Felicita L. Majaw, a former member of the Meghalaya State Women’s Commission.
In his welcome address, Prof. G.D. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of USTM emphasized the urgent need to focus on the challenges faced by senior citizens and the importance of formulating policies to ensure their dignity and well-being.
The event was further enhanced by the presence of Shri Himanshu Rath, Founder and Chairman of Agewell Foundation, India, who attended as the Guest of Honour, alongside Prof. Abdulrahim Vijapur, former Chairman of the Department of Political Science at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Dr Amit Choudhury, Dean, School of Technology & Management, USTM also addressed the inaugural session.
In her keynote address, Smt. Iamonlang M. Syiem highlighted the pressing issues regarding elderly rights and underscored the significance of collective efforts in safeguarding their welfare. The conference includes a series of plenary sessions where distinguished academics, policymakers, and representatives from NGOs will discuss key themes related to elderly rights and welfare. The goal of these discussions is to generate actionable policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens in India.
The main themes of the Conference are: Human Rights and the Elderly: Understanding global perspectives on elderly rights, Strategies for Addressing Abuse and Neglect: Ensuring safety and security for older adults, Policies for Protecting Elder Rights: Legal safeguards for senior citizens in India, Health and Well-being through Best Practices: Holistic healthcare approaches for older adults, Role of Families & Communities in Elderly, Welfare: Collaborative approaches to elder rights, Identifying Different Needs and Rights of Older Adults: Voices of elders and youth for a better life in old age. The two-day conference serves as a vital platform for dialogue, advocacy, and policy development, aiming to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for the elderly in society.