ADA leader, Tilahun Abebe, 76 from Ethiopia talks about the Age Demands Action campaign

Born in 1935, Tilahun Abebe, was raised by his grandmother. For Tilahun, "ADA is about aspiring for and bringing about changes for older people not paper work. This year it will be about achievements-- no more planning; it's time to get results! Once we know where we are, we can see where we must go."

Tilahun believes in change through organisation and is a Board member for the Ethiopian Elders and Pensioners National Association (EEPNA) and vice chairman at the Addis Ababa Pensioners Association. For 13 years Older Peoples Associations started campaigning to improve pension provision. Today more than 60 Older People's Associations are members of EEPNA and these members played a key role in the fight for a pension for people that have worked in the private sector.

Until recently, it was only civil servants who were entitled to any social pension. On 1 October, hundreds marched in the city of Hawassa. The noisy march was led by a brass band and International Day of Older People celebrations were attended by the President, the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, HelpAge ambassador in Ethiopia, Tesfaye Abebe and leaders from a number of Older People's Associations.

Tilahun was one of 140 older runners that ran the 10 kilometre Great Ethiopian Run. Your can read more about the run here.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• ADA
• Ethiopia
• rights
• 'older
• people'
• campaigns
• AgeDemandsAction