What we do

At a global level, we represent older people’s voices where they might never otherwise be heard. We produce documents and evidence at meetings of world leaders such as the World Trade Organisation and the World Bank, outlining how their policies affect the poorest older people.

In the UK, we campaign for policies on international aid and trading rules to meet the needs of older people in developing countries.

In the developing world, we work with individual governments and aid agencies to ensure that older people’s needs are taken into consideration in new policies, aid efforts and poverty reduction strategies.

The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing

In 2002, after decades of lobbying by older people’s organisations, world leaders finally agreed to include age issues in future plans for tackling poverty.

The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) pledged that older people should have the right to an equal share of aid and development resources and be included in programmes aimed at tackling poverty.

MIPAA was endorsed by the UN General Assembly, and the member states have a moral and political obligation to ensure its implementation. We are continuing to monitor its impact.

Age Demands Action

Age Demands Action is the first ever globally co-ordinated activity by older people to press for change. It is organised by HelpAge International and supported by Help the Aged.

This year, the Age Demands Action campaign is calling for over-50s to be included in the UN's monitoring of HIV and AIDS. Support the campaign

Find out more about Age Demands Action on the HelpAge International website

Pensions, not Poverty

Help the Aged believes that every older person, wherever they live, should have the right to a minimum pension to pay for food, shelter and other basic needs.

We have campaigned for a universal social pension, putting pressure on the UK government to support vulnerable older people in developing countries.

Find out more about the campaign