Working Together: NGOs Advancing the UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons
Presenter:
Alejandro Bonilla Garcia, IFA & NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva); Silvia Perel-Levin, GAROP & INPEA; Cherian Mathews, Help Age International; Caroline Emmer de Albuquerque Green, University of Oxford; Nomahlubi Khwinana, South African Commissioner for Human Rights.
Abstract
With the drafting process for a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons now underway, civil society has a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to shape this historic initiative. But how can NGOs, particularly those without prior experience in UN advocacy, contribute meaningfully to this process?
This symposium will focus not on the content of the convention, but on the how of NGO engagement—sharing concrete strategies to influence national positions, coordinate messaging, and navigate participation at both national and international levels.
Drawing inspiration from the successful participation, coordination and impact of NGOs during the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva—and other key moments leading to the adoption of the April 2025 Resolution—the session will present lessons learned from civil society mobilization, including the use of joint messaging, coordinated lobbying, and shared advocacy tools.
Speakers will offer practical guidance on concepts, formats, timing, partnerships, and mechanisms to help NGOs organize effectively and ensure their voices are heard at the global as well as at the national level throughout the drafting and negotiation of the new convention.
This symposium will focus not on the content of the convention, but on the how of NGO engagement—sharing concrete strategies to influence national positions, coordinate messaging, and navigate participation at both national and international levels.
Drawing inspiration from the successful participation, coordination and impact of NGOs during the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva—and other key moments leading to the adoption of the April 2025 Resolution—the session will present lessons learned from civil society mobilization, including the use of joint messaging, coordinated lobbying, and shared advocacy tools.
Speakers will offer practical guidance on concepts, formats, timing, partnerships, and mechanisms to help NGOs organize effectively and ensure their voices are heard at the global as well as at the national level throughout the drafting and negotiation of the new convention.
Bio(s):
• Gregor SNEDDON. Mr. Sneddon brings a deep commitment to justice, equity, and the rights of older persons. A visionary and collaborative leader, he has worked at the intersection of ageing, humanitarian response, and community development. Earlier in his career, Gregor served in ordained ministry with the Anglican Church of Canada, and later as Executive Director of HelpAge Canada. As Secretary General of the IFA, he is guided by an unwavering belief in the inherent dignity and right to self-determination of every person.
• Alejandro BONILLA GARCIA. Alejandro Bonilla-Garcia is an actuary with a master’s in applied mathematics and a PhD in economic policy, holding Mexican and Swiss nationality and over 40 years of international experience in social protection. Alejandro joined the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, where he held senior roles, including Senior Actuary, Senior Social Security Expert, Deputy Regional Director for the Americas, Policy and Research Coordinator of the Social Protection Sector and Director of the Social Protection Department. Alejandro is currently President of the NGO Committee on Ageing in Geneva and represents the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) at the United Nations in Geneva. He is deeply committed to advancing the rights of older persons and promoting inclusive social protection worldwide.
• Silvia PEREL-LEVIN. Silvia Perel-Levin is an advocate for the human rights of older persons and an independent consultant. With 25 years of experience in human rights, ageing, and health, she works with international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO). At the United Nations in Geneva, Silvia represents the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance (ILC GA), towards a Convention on the human rights of older persons. Silvia currently serves as Vice-Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing and is a member of the steering group of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP). She edited the book “Ageing of the Oppressed: A Pandemic of Intersecting Injustice” and coorganised the Independent Ageing Conference in Aichi, Japan, in 2023. Silvia’s contributions to global advocacy for older persons have earned her the Rosalie Wolf Award (2023) and the Julia Alvarez Award (2024). Born in Argentina, she holds a B.A. in Social and Educational Theatre from Tel Aviv University and an M.Sc. in Inter-Professional Practice from the Institute of Health Sciences at City, University of London. She is president of ILC-Israel and divides her time between Tel Aviv and Geneva.
• Cherian MATHEWS. Cherian Mathews is the Chief Executive of HelpAge International, leading the organization’s global efforts to promote the well-being, dignity, and rights of older people. With over 35 years of experience in international development, he has led and managed humanitarian, development, and advocacy programmes across country, regional, and global levels. Before joining HelpAge, Cherian served as International Programme Director at Oxfam GB and previously as Asia Regional Director, where he oversaw major humanitarian responses in the Philippines and Nepal and led regional campaigns on economic justice and inequality. Earlier, he worked with ActionAid and civil society organizations in India, focusing on the rights of Indigenous peoples and marginalized communities. Cherian’s work spans a wide range of policy areas, including food justice, climate change, inequality, and humanitarian action. He is now advancing a global policy agenda on population ageing, emphasizing the intersections with gender, disability, and climate change. He is also a strong advocate for localization and the decolonization of aid structures. He holds a postgraduate degree in development studies from India and has completed advanced management and leadership programmes at the University of Oxford and Harvard University.
• Caroline EMMER DE ALBUQUERQUE GREEN. is the Director of Research at the Institute for Ethics in AI, where she leads the Institute’s Accelerator Fellowship Programme. This initiative brings together professionals from industry, academia, government, and civil society to collaboratively address ethical challenges posed by AI technologies. Her academic research focuses on human rights, AI, and health and social care, with a particular interest in quality of life in older age and how AI can contribute to systems better suited to ageing populations. She is currently conducting research on the meaning of “responsible AI” in business settings, exploring stakeholder engagement to assess and mitigate AI-related risks and opportunities. She also co-leads the Oxford Project on the Responsible Use of Generative AI in Adult Social Care, a cross-sector initiative based in the UK. Caroline holds a PhD from King’s College London, an MA in Investigative Journalism from City University of London, an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics, and a law degree from the University of Edinburgh. She began her career in international development and human rights, working with GIZ, the Council of Europe, Amnesty International, and UNHCR.
• Nomahlubi KHWINANA. Nomahlubi Khwinana is a seasoned legal professional with extensive experience in law, human rights, and the judiciary. She holds a BJuris and LLB from the University of the North-West, a Tax Law Certificate from the University of Cape Town, and is currently pursuing an LLM at the University of East London. She is an admitted attorney with expertise spanning medical, matrimonial, commercial, company, and intellectual property law. She currently serves as an Acting Judge of the Gauteng High Court, bringing her legal insight to the bench with a commitment to fairness and constitutional values. As a Commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission, she plays a key role in promoting and protecting human rights, equality, and access to justice across the country. In addition to her public service, Nomahlubi is the director of Mtimkulu Khwinana Attorneys, a private law firm dedicated to legal excellence and community impact. Her career reflects a strong commitment to the rule of law, gender and social justice, and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Her combined roles in legal practice, the judiciary, and human rights advocacy make her a vital voice in advancing justice and democratic values in South Africa.
• Alejandro BONILLA GARCIA. Alejandro Bonilla-Garcia is an actuary with a master’s in applied mathematics and a PhD in economic policy, holding Mexican and Swiss nationality and over 40 years of international experience in social protection. Alejandro joined the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, where he held senior roles, including Senior Actuary, Senior Social Security Expert, Deputy Regional Director for the Americas, Policy and Research Coordinator of the Social Protection Sector and Director of the Social Protection Department. Alejandro is currently President of the NGO Committee on Ageing in Geneva and represents the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) at the United Nations in Geneva. He is deeply committed to advancing the rights of older persons and promoting inclusive social protection worldwide.
• Silvia PEREL-LEVIN. Silvia Perel-Levin is an advocate for the human rights of older persons and an independent consultant. With 25 years of experience in human rights, ageing, and health, she works with international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO). At the United Nations in Geneva, Silvia represents the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance (ILC GA), towards a Convention on the human rights of older persons. Silvia currently serves as Vice-Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing and is a member of the steering group of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP). She edited the book “Ageing of the Oppressed: A Pandemic of Intersecting Injustice” and coorganised the Independent Ageing Conference in Aichi, Japan, in 2023. Silvia’s contributions to global advocacy for older persons have earned her the Rosalie Wolf Award (2023) and the Julia Alvarez Award (2024). Born in Argentina, she holds a B.A. in Social and Educational Theatre from Tel Aviv University and an M.Sc. in Inter-Professional Practice from the Institute of Health Sciences at City, University of London. She is president of ILC-Israel and divides her time between Tel Aviv and Geneva.
• Cherian MATHEWS. Cherian Mathews is the Chief Executive of HelpAge International, leading the organization’s global efforts to promote the well-being, dignity, and rights of older people. With over 35 years of experience in international development, he has led and managed humanitarian, development, and advocacy programmes across country, regional, and global levels. Before joining HelpAge, Cherian served as International Programme Director at Oxfam GB and previously as Asia Regional Director, where he oversaw major humanitarian responses in the Philippines and Nepal and led regional campaigns on economic justice and inequality. Earlier, he worked with ActionAid and civil society organizations in India, focusing on the rights of Indigenous peoples and marginalized communities. Cherian’s work spans a wide range of policy areas, including food justice, climate change, inequality, and humanitarian action. He is now advancing a global policy agenda on population ageing, emphasizing the intersections with gender, disability, and climate change. He is also a strong advocate for localization and the decolonization of aid structures. He holds a postgraduate degree in development studies from India and has completed advanced management and leadership programmes at the University of Oxford and Harvard University.
• Caroline EMMER DE ALBUQUERQUE GREEN. is the Director of Research at the Institute for Ethics in AI, where she leads the Institute’s Accelerator Fellowship Programme. This initiative brings together professionals from industry, academia, government, and civil society to collaboratively address ethical challenges posed by AI technologies. Her academic research focuses on human rights, AI, and health and social care, with a particular interest in quality of life in older age and how AI can contribute to systems better suited to ageing populations. She is currently conducting research on the meaning of “responsible AI” in business settings, exploring stakeholder engagement to assess and mitigate AI-related risks and opportunities. She also co-leads the Oxford Project on the Responsible Use of Generative AI in Adult Social Care, a cross-sector initiative based in the UK. Caroline holds a PhD from King’s College London, an MA in Investigative Journalism from City University of London, an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics, and a law degree from the University of Edinburgh. She began her career in international development and human rights, working with GIZ, the Council of Europe, Amnesty International, and UNHCR.
• Nomahlubi KHWINANA. Nomahlubi Khwinana is a seasoned legal professional with extensive experience in law, human rights, and the judiciary. She holds a BJuris and LLB from the University of the North-West, a Tax Law Certificate from the University of Cape Town, and is currently pursuing an LLM at the University of East London. She is an admitted attorney with expertise spanning medical, matrimonial, commercial, company, and intellectual property law. She currently serves as an Acting Judge of the Gauteng High Court, bringing her legal insight to the bench with a commitment to fairness and constitutional values. As a Commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission, she plays a key role in promoting and protecting human rights, equality, and access to justice across the country. In addition to her public service, Nomahlubi is the director of Mtimkulu Khwinana Attorneys, a private law firm dedicated to legal excellence and community impact. Her career reflects a strong commitment to the rule of law, gender and social justice, and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Her combined roles in legal practice, the judiciary, and human rights advocacy make her a vital voice in advancing justice and democratic values in South Africa.