Carina Dantas, SIRENE Coordinator, participated in the COST Connect event on Ageing in Europe: Challenges and Opportunities in Brussels on April 20th and 21st. The event brought together policymakers and experts from COST, EIT Health, and the European Commission, as well as experts from other relevant fields and other COST Action representatives.
During the event, Carina Dantas presented SIRENE to the audience, highlighting its roots in the SHAFE movement and the NET4Age-Friendly COST Action. These insights were also shared by Irina Kalderon-Libal, Policy Officer of the European Commission (DG CNECT), who discussed policy priorities and initiatives.
As Europe and the world face the “silver tsunami” of an ageing population, several challenges arise, including strains on resources such as healthcare and pensions, as older individuals require more medical attention and financial support. To address these challenges, there is a need for new policies and programs to support older adults, such as affordable and accessible healthcare, housing, and social services. This requires a rethinking of traditional systems and practices, as well as the development of innovative solutions.
The COST Connect event offered a platform for multi-stakeholder discussions and interactions on the challenges and opportunities of ageing in Europe. With the number of people older than 80 years expected to increase six times by 2100, finding solutions for the challenges linked to ageing and its societal implications will require a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach. Collaboration will be key in sharing knowledge, expertise, and multi-disciplinary insights.
Through participation in the event, attendees gained relevant insights on the recent developments in the fields of ageing and related funding possibilities on the European level. They also interacted with a selected group of researchers in other topic-relevant COST Actions and gained insights into their activities and impact. Additionally, they had the opportunity to network with key policy-makers, experts, and stakeholders actively working on this topic.
COST supports more than 20 COST Actions in the broader field of healthy and active ageing, making it a driving force in these debates. As major demographic changes continue to occur, it is important to continue these discussions and collaborations to find effective solutions.
Find out more on their website: www.cost.eu
Cover image taken from: https://www.cost.eu/cost-connect-ageing/
