‘Earth’s Elders’ photo exhibit bridges the gap between young and old

The oldest people on the planet were celebrated Tuesday evening as young and old came together at United Nations Headquarters in New York for the official opening of “Earth’s Elders,” an exhibition comprising photographs and biographies of more than 60 “super-centenarians” over 110-years-old.

The exhibit is the end result of a three-year effort which took photographer Jerry Friedman around the globe and aims to provide an inspirational look at the lives and experiences of people who have lived in three centuries. The exhibit also displays a video project on the blind elderly as well as a poster display of high school history projects, the result of Mr. Friedman’s Earth’s Elders school curriculum.

“Life in general was harder back in the day than it is now. Everything they had to go through was for the betterment of society and that’s why I have what I have now,” said Lee Saysha Hernandez, a Manhattan Bridges High School student who underwent the Earth’s Elder’s curriculum.

Former United States Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders and UN Department of Public Information (DPI) Director Ahmad Fawzi both spoke at the reception highlighting the importance of improved visibility and health care for the over-60 age group, the fastest growing group in the world.

“The United Nations is dedicated to promoting a society for people of all ages…and to explore new social policies that will guarantee older people’s rights and integration within our societies as well as recognize their remarkable contribution,” Mr. Fawzi said.

“We don’t just want to live longer, we want to live better. Now we have a sick care system. We want a system to make us healthy,” Ms. Elders said.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Earth’s Elders Foundation in cooperation DPI and is on display until mid-July.