Seminary Ageing Without Stereotypes

The Round Table “Ageing Without Stereotypes: The Role of Social Work in Promoting Older People's Rights” is a scientific, educational and training initiative that aims to encourage critical reflection on the myths, stereotypes and prejudices associated with ageing and later life, examining their influence on social perceptions, professional practices, and the recognition and exercise of older people's rights.

Recognising ageing as a multidimensional, dynamic and heterogeneous process, the initiative seeks to challenge generalised conceptions that inevitably associate old age with illness, dependency, incapacity or a loss of social value. These perceptions can contribute to the perpetuation of ageism, with implications for older people's autonomy, self-determination, participation, social inclusion and dignity.

Within this framework, the round table is structured around three thematic strands, focusing on challenging myths frequently associated with ageing:

• “Are all older people the same?”;
• “Does ageing inevitably mean illness and dependency?”;
• and “Do older people stop contributing to society?”.

Exploring these themes will highlight the diversity of ageing experiences, recognise older people's abilities and contributions to society, and identify and examine manifestations of ageism in different social, institutional and professional contexts.

The participation of specialists with experience in different intervention settings will make it possible to bring scientific knowledge together with professional experience and practice, encouraging reflection on the role of Social Work in preventing and combating ageism, as well as in promoting interventions grounded in human rights, dignity, autonomy and respect for each person's individuality.

The initiative forms part of the Bachelor's Degree in Social Work at Lusófona University - Porto University Centre and the Bachelor's Degree in Social Work at Lusófóna University - Lisbon University Centre. It results from collaboration between the curricular units Ageing and Later Life(s): Knowledge and Intervention, at the Porto University Centre, and Intervention in Social Gerontology, at the Lisbon University Centre.

The activity will take place jointly across the two University Centres. The first thematic strand will be led by a guest speaker common to both Centres, whose presentation will be followed simultaneously by participants at both locations, via an online transmission at Lusófona University - Porto University Centre. The remaining strands will take place in person at each University Centre, with guest speakers selected by the respective teams, taking into account their different professional contexts and experience. This format will combine a shared moment of reflection with approaches tailored to the specific characteristics of each University Centre.

Aimed at students, lecturers, researchers, social workers and other professionals interested in ageing-related issues, the round table seeks to raise awareness of the impact of age-related stereotypes and prejudices, promote a scientific, critical and humanistic understanding of the diversity of ageing processes, and develop the ability to identify and examine ageism. It also aims to strengthen the connection between academic education and professional practice, fostering dialogue, the sharing of knowledge and experience, and the promotion of inclusive, participatory and human rights-based intervention practices.

Programme

• 9:45 am | Registration and welcome of participants
• 10:00 am | Opening session
  • Professor Diana Dias — Dean of the FCESE - Faculty of Economic, Social and Business Sciences (to be confirmed)
  • Professor Cristiana de Almeida — Director of the Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
• 10:15 am | Strand 1 — “Are all older people the same?”
  • Professor Maria Irene Carvalho (online)
  • Associate Professor - University of Lisbon, Institute of Social and Political Sciences
• 10:55 am | Strand 2 — “Does ageing inevitably mean illness and dependency?”
  • Professor Laura Oliveira (in person)
  • Social Worker - Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Castelo de Paiva
• 11:35 am | Strand 3 — “Do older people stop contributing to society?”
  • Dr Ana Cristina Ferreira
  • Social Worker - Centro Social e Paroquial de Ferreira – Paços de Ferreira
• 12:15 pm | Summary and closing