Prof. Galit Nimrod to Write Convention to Protect Human Rights in Old Age
BGU researcher to play key role in writing UN convention safeguarding older persons’ rights
Prof. Galit Nimrod, from the Department of Communication Studies at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, has been selected to serve on the committee that will draft the Convention on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights of Older Persons for the UN Human Rights Council.
The decision to establish the committee to advance human rights in old age was made last March during the UN General Assembly. This resolution is the result of a joint effort by many social organizations, led by the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP). GAROP is an international network with over 400 members, which also includes the Multidisciplinary Center for the Study of Aging at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
Twelve members from around the world and with diverse professional backgrounds were selected for the committee. They have been allotted one year to draft the convention. The guiding principles for its creation include, among other things, relying on research and engaging with a variety of relevant audiences (including policymakers, human rights experts, social organizations, academics, and older persons themselves). Once the committee’s work is complete and the Convention is approved by the UN General Assembly, it will become a legally binding document for all UN member states.
Prof. Nimrod is a researcher in the Department of Communication Studies at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and her research focuses on the impact of leisure, communication, and technology on well-being in old age. To date, she has published two books on the subject and over 100 articles in leading scientific journals.
On the international stage, Prof. Nimrod has been involved in establishing several research groups. For six years, she served as a board member of the World Leisure Organization, which works with the UN to promote understanding, legislation, and education regarding the contribution of leisure to well-being at every place and age. Her research achievements have earned her international acclaim. Among other honors, she was elected as a Fellow of the Academia Europaea and the American Academy of Leisure Sciences.
"The Convention on Human Rights in Old Age will play a critical role in the well-being of the global older population. It is a great privilege for me to be a part of this committee and to advocate for this age group," said Prof. Nimrod.
