Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Research Chair participates in the international fight against mistreatment and the violation of the rights of older adults. (June 2020)

As part of the extraordinary activities undertaken by the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) in this time of a global pandemic, the Research Chair participated in diverse, international initiatives. 

One of these was to give the opening statement at international exchanges organized by the INPEA. The report included the state of social and healthcare conditions as of April 22, 2020, at the national (Canada) and provincial (Québec) levels. It was followed by a presentation of the strategic responses of public health authorities, particularly those strategies concerning the older population (70 years +).

Also, the Research Chair was called upon by Susan B. Somers, INPEA Director, to translate (from English to French) a survey of the social and healthcare situation of older adults on the African continent in the context of the pandemic. The results of this survey will be presented on May 29, 2020, as part of the INPEA’s extraordinary initiatives.

To this, add Dr. Marie Beaulieu’s presence in a virtual meeting promoted by the Group of Friends of Older Persons, New York, as part of the activities of the United Nations’ Open-ended Working Group on Ageing. The meeting’s purpose was to discuss the advancement of the rights of older persons during these challenging times and move from debate to action.  The virtual session put to the forefront two panellists central to the United Nations’ work concerning older adults.

• Ms. Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights.
• Ms. Claudia Mahler, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.