2nd Conference: Understanding Emotions – Meaningful Ageing: Emotions, Purpose and Resilience

In an increasingly long-lived society, we need to rethink ageing, recognising the value of purpose, resilience and the ability to adapt to the life challenges characteristic of this stage. The conference brings together the academic contribution of Professor Anja Machielse, a leading figure in the study of loneliness and meaning in life, and the expert insight of the Director General of IMSERSO, M. Teresa Sancho, on demographic trends and their implications within the European strategic framework. In the second part, the results and experiences of the ‘Understanding Emotions’ network will be presented. This initiative, promoted by Afundación in collaboration with Matia Institute, aims to place emotions, well-being and a sense of purpose at the heart of a fulfilling and meaningful ageing process.

PROGRAMME

9.15 am Registration

10.00 – 10.15 am Institutional opening

Pedro Otero, Managing Director of Afundación

PART ONE

10.15–10.45 am Opening lecture: “Ageing is Living: the European strategic framework for healthy ageing”

María Teresa Sancho, Director General of the Institute for the Elderly and Social Services (IMSERSO)

10.45–11.45 am Keynote lecture: ‘Meaningful ageing and resilience: keys to emotional well-being in old age’

Anja Machielse, Professor of Humanism and Social Resilience and Professor Emeritus at Utrecht University of the Humanities

11.45am – 12.15pm Coffee break

PART TWO

12.15pm – 1.00pm Round table: ‘Understanding emotions. Participants’ voices: older men and the challenge of emotional expression in the programme’

Participants: Miguel Ángel Quintás (ALCER) | Vicente Lorenzo Barreira (Espazo +60 Vigo) | Xaime Manuel González (Espazo +60 Santiago) | Emilio Santiago (Espazo +60 A Coruña) | Jesús Mucientes Martín (Espazo +60 Ferrol).

Moderator: Alba Iglesias (Agadea)

Presenting findings: Xosé Luis Liñares (Afundación)

13.00 - 13.45 Round table: “Emotions in care settings: adapting the programme and its impact on care homes and day centres”

Graciela Créstar (ADCOR) | Patricia Martínez (COGAMI) | María Valiño (O tempo é noso) | Eva Fernández (Mimosas).

Moderator: Lucía Gil (Contigo)

Presenting findings: Sara Marsillas (Matia Institute)

13.45 - 14.00 Conclusions: “The ‘Conociendo las Emociones’ network: a model of inter-institutional collaboration to promote well-being in ageing”

Sabela Couceiro, Senior Citizens’ Coordinator at Afundación

Mercedes Garnelo, Coordinator of the ‘Emociones’ programme