Lisboa Com Vida brings together partners to reflect on a city for all ages

The initiative forms part of Older People’s Month and reinforces the Compromisso of the ‘Lisbon Full of Life for All Ages’ Programme with policies focused on community outreach, community participation and dignified ageing.

The opening session will be led by Paulo Sousa, Provedor of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, who will outline the institution’s strategic role in promoting a more cohesive city that is better equipped to cater for all ages. The opening ceremony will also be attended by Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Câmara Municipal de Lisboa, Ana Sofia Branco, from the Social Security Institute/Lisbon District Centre; Ana Correia de Oliveira, from the National Health Service; Luís Elias, from the Public Security Police; Ana Macedo, from NOVA Medical School; and Joaquim Loureiro, from the Patriarchate of Lisbon.

The programme includes two keynote lectures. Maria João Valente Rosa will address the topic “Cities of Longevity”, whilst Stella Bettencourt from the City Council will speak on “Loneliness and Social Isolation”, opening up a discussion on various aspects related to the ageing population and the creation of closer-knit and more inclusive communities.

In the afternoon, there will be a panel session dedicated to the presentation of projects and best practices developed within the KORALE Community of Practice, an Interreg Europe initiative co-funded by the European Union. Representatives from Santa Casa, the Alegria de Viver Association, the ‘Sempre Acompanhados’ Programme, the SCML Senior Universities and the Coração Amarelo Association, amongst other organisations, will be in attendance, highlighting innovative responses to ageing and social isolation.

One of the key moments will be the formalisation of the Addendum to the Cooperation Protocol of the ‘Lisboa Com Vida’ Programme, which aims to strengthen coordination between strategic partners. The Letter of Compromisso for the City of Lisbon’s Social RADAR will also be signed; this collaborative tool aims to improve the identification and support of people in situations of vulnerability or social isolation.

The closing session will feature speeches by Ângela Guerra, director of Santa Casa, and Maria Luísa Aldim, a councillor on the Câmara Municipal de Lisboa, reaffirming their joint commitment to a more inclusive and participatory Lisbon, one that is better prepared to meet the needs of its population.