On 1 October 2026, a conference entitled “My Future – Whose Responsibility? An Inclusive Society for All (Part III)” was held at the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia to mark the International Day of Older Persons. The conference focused on improving the position, well-being and protection of older persons, as well as the future of ageing-related policies.

Nataša Todorović, Expert Associate at the Red Cross of Serbia, participated in the second panel, “Ageing with Respect for Rights and Dignity: Shaping the Next Global Framework for Older Persons.” The panel focused on the process of developing a future legally binding international instrument on the rights of older persons.

Speaking about this process, Nataša Todorović emphasised that human rights have no expiry date and do not cease to apply when people grow older. She highlighted that the development of the future convention is the result of many years of engagement by states, civil society organisations, experts and older persons themselves.

She spoke about the role of civil society organisations as a bridge between international processes and the lived realities of older persons, emphasising the need to ensure that the experiences of diverse groups of older people are reflected in the future framework. Issues such as discrimination, violence, social security, health, care, participation and access to justice should be addressed as integral parts of a comprehensive human rights framework.

Addressing the future of care, she stressed that the question “Who provides care?” should be expanded to ask “Who is responsible for ensuring that people receive the care they need?” Families remain an important source of support, but they cannot replace a care system. Shared responsibility is therefore needed among the state, local communities, society, families and civil society.

She also emphasised that technology should support people, not replace them. The future of care is not solely a matter for health and social care systems; it is also a question of what kind of society we want to build – one in which no one is left alone when they need help the most.

The conference was jointly organised by the Office of the Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection Attaché of the Republic of Austria in Serbia, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Serbia, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and the Red Cross of Serbia.