The High Commissioner attended a conference on the rights of elderly persons and the role of Ombudsmen and Mediation Institutions

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to increased awareness of the issues of loneliness and digital exclusion encountered by elderly people in particular, and by vulnerable people in general. The conference organised by the Georgian Ombudsman on 27 September 2022 under the patronage of the AOM, which the High Commissioner attended remotely, looked at the role of Ombudsmen in protecting the rights of elderly people.

The first part of the conference provided a comprehensive analysis of how the pandemic has affected elderly people, and the work done by Ombudsmen to uphold their rights in this context.

Discussions then focused on the challenges and opportunities created by the development of digital resources, for the rights of elderly people. The various contributions to the debate emphasised that, despite the undeniable positive aspects of digital technology, digital illiteracy and a lack of transparency in online procedures can add to the sense of loneliness or confusion felt by some older people. The discussions also highlighted the common problems faced by Ombudsmen, regardless of the country in which they operate, and provided an opportunity to share ideas for action going forward.