On February 19, Professor Lucia Silecchia, Associate Dean of Faculty Research at Catholic Law, served as a speaker for the webinar titled, "The Enjoyment of Human Rights for Older Persons: Examining Challenges and Opportunities." The event was hosted by Fordham Law School's Institute for Law, Religion & Lawyer's Work, in collaboration with The Center for Research in Politics and Human Rights (PHR) at Sophia University Institute in Italy and the Observatorio de Derechos Humanos at the University of Valladolid in Spain.

The webinar explored a pressing global issue: the rights of older adults. With the world’s aging population rapidly increasing due to advancements in healthcare and living conditions, older adults, much like children, are recognized as a vulnerable group deserving of care, dignity, and legal protections. In response to this growing need, legal scholars are increasingly focusing on the rights of older individuals and strategies to safeguard them. Notably, some international law experts are advocating for the creation of a United Nations Convention specifically dedicated to protecting the rights of older adults.

This timely webinar brought together experts to shed light on these critical issues, offering valuable perspectives on how to address the challenges and seize the opportunities in ensuring the human rights of older persons. A recording of the webinar can be found here.