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Human Rights

An older woman stands up with her hands clenched together held high in victory while other participants cheer.

Between 2017 and 2030, the number of persons aged 60 years or over is (from 962 million to 1.4 billion) globally outnumbering youth, as well as children under the age of 10. Population ageing is poised to become one of the most significant social transformations of the 21st century. Aiming to enshrine the rights of older persons and to mobilize advocates to protect those rights, the UN designated 1 October as "International Day of Older Persons." Aligned with SDG 10, this year's theme: "The Journey to Age Equality," focuses on pathways of coping with existing (and preventing future) old age inequalities.

As we look back on 30 years of the , we also look ahead to the next 30 years. "We must listen to you – today’s children and young people – about the issues of greatest concern to you now and begin working with you on twenty-first century solutions to twenty-first century problems." With that in mind, here are why UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore is worried for children's future, and eight reasons why she thinks there is hope.

A Boy and His Best Friend

Photos of persons who disappeared.

Enforced disappearance has frequently been used as a strategy to spread terror within society; the feeling of insecurity generated is not limited to close relatives of the disappeared, but also affects their communities and society as a whole. UN Resolution expresses a deep concern about the increase in enforced or involuntary disappearances, including arrest, detention and abduction, and it declares 30 August the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The resolution also welcomes the adoption of the .

Painting of 3 children holding up posters with "love not hate", the peace sign, and a mushroom cloud with a line crossing it out. There is a white dove and tree behind them.

Since nuclear weapons testing began on 16 July 1945, nearly 2,000 have taken place. It is our hope that one day all nuclear weapons will be eliminated. Until then, there is a need to observe this International Day as the world works towards promoting peace and security.

UN Human Rights is partnering with Wikimedia to promote access to quality information on human rights through Wikipedia. A first event was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, gathering contributors to edit content about women and LGBTI rights.