The 4th Congress of the Interdisciplinary Research Unit – Functional Aging Communities (Age.Comm) at the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco aims to deepen the debate on the challenges of aging in contemporary society. With the central theme "Challenges of Aging: Creativity, Connectivity, and Inclusion," the event seeks to explore the challenges of longevity through the lenses of creativity, connectivity, and inclusion, approaching aging not as an obstacle but as an opportunity to develop sustainable and innovative communities.
Over three days (November 13, 14, and 15, 2025), this international and interdisciplinary congress will bring together researchers, professionals, and policymakers to discuss the multiple dimensions of aging, reflecting on the need for new strategies to address demographic and social transformations.
Creative, Connected, and Inclusive Aging
Communities must be able to think about aging holistically, incorporating creative approaches and innovative solutions that value the potential of older adults. These approaches should promote connectivity by recognizing the need to link and coordinate different sectors (social, health, education, technology) while also ensuring that older adults remain socially connected. Furthermore, they should uphold the fundamental value of inclusion, guaranteeing that older individuals have equal rights and access to the same resources and opportunities as the rest of the population, actively combating ageism.
Longevity, therefore, cannot be analyzed from a single perspective; rather, it must be viewed as a cross-cutting phenomenon that impacts public policies, urban planning, technological innovation, social participation, well-being, and intergenerational solidarity.
The 4th Age.Comm Congress aims to highlight the importance of creativity, connectivity, and inclusion as essential elements for building more resilient, active, and sustainable societies.
Congress Thematic Axes
To structure a broad and integrated discussion, the congress will be organized around six major thematic axes:
- Environment, Education, and Culture – The impact of environmental sustainability, cultural initiatives, and lifelong education access.
- Social Participation, Citizenship, and Governance – The importance of including older adults in society, political life, and decision-making processes, promoting active aging and full citizenship.
- Prevention and Management of Chronic Diseases and Long-Term Care – Strategies for healthy aging, challenges of multimorbidity, home care, palliative care models, and innovative health policies.
- Vulnerabilities and Inequalities in Aging – The impact of poverty, social isolation, ageism, gender disparities, violence, difficulties in accessing care, and challenges faced by caregivers.
- Emerging Technologies and Digital Transformation – The role of technological innovation in digital inclusion, telemedicine, social networks, and the development of assistive solutions for older individuals.
- Economic Sustainability and Aging Models – Pension and retirement reforms, the impact of aging on the economy, the longevity economy, new housing models, and the recognition of the care economy.
A Space for Reflection and Solution-Building
The 4th Age.Comm Congress will serve as a platform for debate, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative construction of solutions, fostering the connection between different scientific fields and experiences. Through the involvement of experts from various disciplines, the event aims to contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable strategies that ensure a more connected, active, healthy, inclusive, and participatory aging process.
This congress reaffirms the commitment of the Interdisciplinary Research Unit – Functional Aging Communities (Age.Comm) and the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco to promoting concrete solutions for the challenges of aging, strengthening the dialogue between science, society, and public policy.
powered by eventQualia