Ms Bridget Sleap:

What the Chairman has illustrated are the challenges with defining older people by a single chronological age. It varies so much, and also in terms of our attitudes. In 2012, there was a Eurobarometer survey across Europe, which looked at the age at which people across different countries, genders and groups thought old age began. It varied hugely, from early 50s to mid-70s. For the purposes of a convention, looking at a single chronological age definition will not be that helpful because it will not capture the levels of ageism and discrimination that people experience at different ages. The Chairman has highlighted one of the key areas of debate around a convention and its purpose.