Countdown to 60 over 60

Due to improvements in health and survival, as well as lower fertility rates, the world is growing older, a demographic trend that was analyzed in the recent report: Ageing in the Twenty-First Century, a Celebration and a Challenge.

One of the themes of the report is that future progress depends, in part, on how much older persons are able to continue to contribute to their families, communities and countries. As a way to highlight the findings and to celebrate the diverse contributions of older people, UNFPA and HelpAge, who partnered on the report, are sponsoring the first-ever 60 over 60 list.

A panel comprised of eight judges will select 60 inspiring and influential people, aged 60 and older, from among the 210 individuals who were nominated through social media channels. The panel, which will select the finalists by late February, includes:

• Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin , a physician, public health expert and Executive Director of UNFPA.
• Ari Seth Cohen, a celebrated US fashion blogger focusing on older people.
• Charles J. Ouda, star of The First-Grader and a well-known actor, singer, songwriter and director from Nairobi, Kenya.
• Dr. Fernando Morales, director of Costa Rica’s National Geriatric Hospital and Chair of the National Council for Older Persons.
• Henning Scherf, a prominent German lawyer, author and politician and former Mayor of Bremen.
• Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall, UK author, journalist and an award-winning garden designer well-known for her best-selling 'Good Granny' books.
• Mary Ann Tsao, a pioneer of new approaches to care for older people in Southeast Asia and founder of the Tsao Foundation in Singapore.
• Špela Breceljnik, a young campaigner and activist for older people’s rights from Slovenia.

"From the nominations I’ve seen so far, it will not be easy to narrow the field down to 60 finalists," said Dr. Osotimehin, UNFPA’s Executive Director. "But I’m looking forward to learning more about – and honouring – the many contributions that these older individuals from all over the world are making to their communities and to society as a whole. Their unique contributions and enthusiasm reinforce my conviction that we will be able to manage the many challenges presented by population ageing. Together we can turn them into opportunities."