International Day of Older Persons 2018 - We can all Champion Human Rights and be Human Rights Champions – Take the Pledge!
International Day of Older Persons is a day to celebrate all older people – to highlight the value of all older people and to promote dignity and respect. The 2018 international theme is “Celebrating Older Human Rights Champions“.
This year Age Concern New Zealand want all New Zealanders to sign up as Age Concern Dignity Champions and stand up for the human rights of older Kiwis.
“There is no excuse for elder abuse, says Stephanie Clare, Age Concern New Zealand Chief Executive. I am appalled that we are still having to deal with cases each day where older people are taken advantage of.
“Just because someone is older it doesn’t mean they are less valuable, have less purpose or should lose basic human rights, the right to make their own choices and respect from those around them.
“Of the cases we see, 75% of alleged abusers are family members, either adult children or partners of adult children and that needs to stop!
“So come on Kiwis we all have a part to play. You can take a stand against ageism and join me by signing up today!” says Stephanie.
An Age Concern Dignity Champion pledges to:
• Reject stereotypes and focus on the uniqueness of every individual
• Speak up when they hear people speaking negatively about growing old
• Have the courage to question practices they feel are disrespectful to older people
• Not patronise older people
• Be patient, polite and friendly
• Have zero tolerance for abuse or neglect
• Build relationships – they combat isolation and loneliness by getting to know the older people in their lives.
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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