Education and training in the area of longevity and aging are fundamental pillars in the preparation of professionals in the most diverse areas of knowledge. If we are facing a civilizational challenge that crosses all areas of life in society, then education and training should follow the same logic and be transversal to the training of professionals from social sciences to health, from biological sciences to engineering/technology, from human sciences to linguistics, from arts and culture. Only a competent education and training will enable professionals to be aware, involved, and committed to the affirmation of a “society for all ages”, preventing infantilization, idadism, and a paternalistic attitude that is too often present in the relationship between professionals and older people.

The 16th Session of the InterAções Symposium seeks to reflect on the role of education, training and research in deepening knowledge and preparing competent and skilled professionals in a society for all ages.

The increase in life expectancy is one of the greatest successes of humanity. But living longer, in addition to living better, also implies greater responsibility and commitment to the common good throughout life. The older adults, according to their abilities, have the duty and the responsibility to participate more and be more involved in promoting social well-being, contributing as much as possible to their community. These are the challenges inherent in self-determination and citizenship throughout the life cycle, which guarantee the rights of the elderly, but also shows their responsibility in sharing their values, knowledge, life experiences and skills with all generations, in particular the younger ones.

The 15th Session of the InterAções Symposium seeks to reflect on the self-determination and social commitment of the elderly to the community.

The evolution of the population socio-demographic structure is significantly influencing the demand for goods and services. In fact, people change their pattern of production, savings and consumption throughout their lives and these behaviors have a strong impact on the social and economic organization of societies. It is no coincidence that the fastest growing segment in terms of employment in Western countries has been leisure, recreation and health. However, what are the threats and the market opportunities that result from this change in the age structure of the population? And what are the implications of this change in consumption patterns? These are some questions that need to be asked, taking into account that, as this phenomena derived from human dynamics, they should be the object of equitative public policies that avoid social inequalities.

The 14th Session of the InterAções Symposium will highlight the impact of demographic ageing on consumption patterns, exploring the resulting market opportunities and the threats to the balance of intergenerational solidarity.

Ageism remains very common in traditional media, and there has been a significant increase in social media. This was highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic, as older adults were often portraired as “defenseless and expendable elderly people”, as well illustrated by the spread of the “#BoomerRemover” hashtag. As such, it is essential that we take concerted action into knowing how to communicate ‘ageing’, so that we can guarantee an environment of respect, empathy and solidarity between all generations. This is a challenge for all of us that should not only involve media professionals, but also decision-makers, academics and researchers, as well as, fundamentally, older adults themselves, who ought to be be increasingly committed to dissipate the stereotypes assigned to them.

The 13th Session of the InterAções Symposium seeks to better understand the roots of age-based steriotypes and identify strategies to deconstruct the myths and the preconceptions.