International Day of Older Persons (IDOP)– Five years ago, Ridgecrest embarked on the heartfelt journey to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons annually. This annual celebration has been set for October 1 of this year and made possible by dedicated sponsors Cross-Cultural Exchange Club and Cheryl McDonald Creative, which has consistently brought together organizations from the public and private sectors to observe this significant day. The sponsors extend their deepest gratitude to the event partners who have been making these annual celebrations continuously happen.
The upcoming 2023 celebration marks the 6th anniversary of Ridgecrest’s commitment to the IDOP. In alignment with the UN’s 2023 focus regarding International Day of Older Persons, local sponsors Cross-Cultural Exchange and Cheryl McDonald Creative are focusing on the theme of “Empower Older Adults and Value Their Wisdom and Experiences.” They are advocating for “the creation of an age-friendly community” and “the strengthening of intergenerational connections.” These initiatives emphasize the importance of working together to build a more united society, ultimately safeguarding the human rights of all generations.
A diverse array of event partners has joined hands to make the 2023 IDOP celebration a resounding success. These partners include Ale’s Steakhouse & Bar, Bangkok House, Casa Corona, Casey’s Steaks & Barbecue, China Express, China Lake Buffet, China Lake Martial Arts, Classic Gyros, Classic Burgers, Daily Independent, Dollheadz Wigz, Fujisan Handcrafted Sushi, High Desert Fitness, Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert, Kern County Library Ridgecrest Branch, Kristy’s Family Restaurant, Lugo’s Grill, Mon Reve, The News Review, Nutrition RX, Pure Healing Foods, Ridgecrest Senior Center, Saigon Flavor, Select Physical Therapy, Swap Sheet, Taqueria Bernardino’s, Tokyo of Ridgecrest, and 760 Fitness. In honor of the 2023 IDOP celebration, several Ridgecrest organizations and businesses have generously offered a range of discounts and activities for seniors throughout the month of October.
The 33rd International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) falls on Sunday, Oct. 1st this year. The establishment of this particular meaningful day dates back to 1990 when the United Nations General Assembly designed October 1st as the annual International Day of Older Persons. The purpose of this designation is to raise public awareness about issues affecting older persons and advocate for their human rights in every aspect.
Each year, on October 1st, the celebration of International Day of Older Persons takes place all around the world, with a specific theme announced by the UN. This year’s theme will be “Fulfilling the Promise of the Universal Declaration of Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations.” According to the UNIDOP, there are three objectives involved in the 2023 theme, including (1) strengthening the protection of human rights across generations, (2) facilitating the exchange of intergenerational models of human protection across the world, (3) Integrating a life course approach into the practices of both governments and UN entities on human rights protection, and ensuring participation of all ages in strengthening intergenerational solidarity and partnerships.
The Ridgecrest’s 6th annual celebration of the International Day of Older Persons promises to be a memorable and inclusive event that highlights empowering older adults and values their wisdom and experiences while fostering intergenerational connections in the community. The local sponsors and their event partners invite everyone to join in celebrating and honoring older adults of our society.
