As part of the 3rd General Assembly of the STAGE Project, the full-day conference Life-Course Approach for Healthy Ageing Together took place at the historic Casa de la Convalescència, within the Sant Pau Hospital complex in Barcelona.
Organised by The Ageing Deal—a pioneering European initiative—the event brought together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, businesses, and citizens to collectively shape a healthier, more inclusive future for older people. The STAGE and CONFORTAge projects co-led the organisation and development of the conference.
Talks, Workshops and Interactive Installations
The program featured a dynamic mix of presentations, workshops, and interactive installations focused on the Ageing Deal’s vision.
The day opened with a keynote from Alina Lupu, Policy Officer at DG CONNECT, European Commission, who presented “Fostering Healthy Living: The EU’s Strategic Approach to Ageing.”
In the afternoon, participants joined workshops led by the STAGE and CONFORTAge teams. These sessions explored a variety of topics—from digital tools for healthy ageing and co-creating age-friendly neighbourhoods, to testing technological innovations and deepening citizen engagement through real-world co-creation experiences.
A transversal element of the conference was an interactive installation designed by Work Packages 2 and 10 of the STAGE Project. Entitled “Ageism – How We Think, Feel and Act Towards Older People”, the installation invited attendees to question their assumptions about ageing and older adults.
Using the motto “Observe, play and reflect,” participants were prompted to answer 20 thought-provoking questions. Their responses were visualised in real time by tying threads onto nails that corresponded to different answer options on four wooden panels. As the day progressed, the boards filled with colorful thread patterns, offering a visually striking snapshot of collective perceptions.
Alongside this, the installation included informative content and reflective questions about ageism—challenging visitors to consider how societal stereotypes and attitudes shape the way we treat and view older people.
The installation was co-developed by STAGE consortium members Mario Magaña, Paola Buedo, Olaya Moena, Mireia Manent, Irene Canovi and Mariana Infante.
What Is the Ageing Deal?
While longer lives are one of our greatest shared achievements, they also bring significant challenges. Supporting healthy ageing across Europe means rethinking how our health systems, cities, and communities are designed. The goal is to ensure wellbeing, equity, and dignity for people of all ages and backgrounds.
The Ageing Deal is a forward-thinking initiative supported by the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under the call HORIZON-HLTH-2023-STAYHLTH-01-01: The Silver Deal – Person-centred Health and Care in European Regions. The initiative shifts the narrative from “silver” to “ageing,” emphasising inclusive and human-centred approaches to health, care, and community for older adults.
Looking Ahead
The conference served as a powerful reminder that healthy ageing isn’t just about policies and systems—it’s also about shifting attitudes, sparking dialogue, and building shared spaces for reflection and creativity. The energy and collaboration shown throughout the day reaffirmed that, together, we can reimagine ageing as a vibrant, supported, and valued stage of life.