We all age in a cultural context. How we age is informed by the social and cultural

norms within which we live. If those norms are ageist, this will have a negative

impact on our experience of growing older. And the evidence is clear – ageism is

everywhere, harmful and highly tolerated.

 

Initiatives have emerged around the globe that shine a light on this pernicious form

of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination on the basis of age. Initiatives vary from

global to local, some focus on building awareness and shifting attitudes, others on

policy and law, others use the vehicle of building intergenerational solidarity.

 

Cultural values and beliefs significantly impact how ageism manifests in different

communities. In some societies there may be a strong emphasis on family and

community support for older adults. There may be deeply religious obligations and a strong sense of duty to older people. In other cultures, older people may face social isolation and neglect, exacerbating the impact of ageism. Some cultures may place a higher value on youth and productivity. And of course, within cultures there is great variance.

 

To effectively tackle ageism, it is crucial to understand the cultural nuances that

shape how ageing and older people are perceived and treated. By understanding

and addressing the cultural differences in the expressions of ageism, we can create

more inclusive and supportive environments for people of all ages.

 

Yet we know so little, and so many assumptions are made. How do our cultural

norms impact on our experience of getting, and being, older? How do cultural norms

shape the stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination older people experience?

What strategies to reduce ageism work in different cultural contexts? How can our

approach to combatting ageism be culturally and linguistically sensitive?

 

Overview

This session will be a facilitated workshop.

 

Speakers will:

• Present the evidence on what is known about cultural contexts of ageism

• Highlight some of the initiatives to tackle ageism across the globe.

 

Participants will:

• Explore cultural norms about ageing and older people

• Explore cultural differences in the manifestations of ageism

• Discuss what works to tackle ageism in different cultural contexts

• Discuss where to next.

 

Workshop format

Speakers will present an overview of campaigns and initiatives around the globe (15-20 mins)

1. A brief overview of campaigns and initiatives around the globe and what the evidence tells us about cultural contexts – Marlene Krasovitsky

2. Argentina – Maya Sinjovich

3. Canada – Satya Brink

 

A facilitated workshop discussion will explore differences in the cultural manifestations of ageism (40-45 mins)

o What are the cultural norms about ageing and older people?

o How is ageism understood in your cultural context?

o What does ageism look like in your context – individual, interpersonal, institutional?

o How older persons can join the movement against ageism to shape a positive culture of ageing

o What strategies would work to reduce ageism in your context?

o What are our next steps?

Dr. Satya Brink, a Canadian policy research expert, specializes in Lifelong Learning and Educational Gerontology.

She has been active in Gerontology for over forty years. She has served on the board of the Canadian Association of Gerontology. She served on the Barrier-free Committee of the Canadian National Building Code for five years. She has served on the boards of not-for-profit organizations and long-term care facilities. Her work on comparative international aging policy was presented to Governments of France, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand. She authored “Improving the quality of life of elderly and disabled people in human settlements – a resource book for policy and programmes from around the world” for UN-Habitat in 1993. She was book editor of “Housing Older People: An international perspective”, Transaction Press, 1998. She has worked for international organizations such as the World Bank, governments in developed countries (eg Finland and Ireland) and developing countries (eg Senegal and Egypt). She is currently associated with the Lifelong Learning Institute ENCELL at Jönköping University in Sweden and is an Adjunct Professor, Simon Fraser University, Canada from 2024 to 2029. Her book Longevity Dividend: Later Life, Lifelong Learning and Productive Societies was published by Springer in August, 2023.

 

Dr Marlene Krasovitsky is currently consulting to the World Health Organisation’s Global Campaign to Combat Ageism. Marlene is also consulting with HelpAge International to map ageism initiatives globally, with a particular focus in low- and middle-income countries. Marlene was formerly the Director and Co-Chair of EveryAGE Counts, Australia’s coalition-led campaign against ageism.

Previously, Marlene was the Director of Willing to Work, the National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination Against Older Australians and Australians with Disability with the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Marlene has worked in Commonwealth and State Governments and the not for profit sector in a range of executive, policy and operational roles as well as a number of major public inquiries including the Review into the Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force and the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW.

Marlene has a PhD from Sydney University, an Executive Masters of Public Administration (ANZSOG), a Masters of Business Administration (University of Technology, Sydney) and is a registered psychologist.

 

Maya Sinjovich trained as a doctor at the University of Buenos Aires, she did the specialty in Geriatrics at the Argentine Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (SAGG).

She completed a Diploma in Hospital Administration and Health Centers at the ISALUD University, a Diploma in Interdisciplinary Palliative Care in the Elderly (SAGG), a Professor of Medicine (Universidad del Salvador) and an Auditor in Health Services (Association of Municipal Doctors), she is pursuing a Diploma in Bioethics (Universidad Austral)

She is currently Director of the Career of Specialist in Geriatrics ay the University of Buenos Aires ( UBA), Director of the Diploma in Gerontology (UBA), Head of the Geriatrics Unit of the Hospital Ramos Mejía, General Practitioner of the INSSJP (National Institute of Social Services for Retirees and Pensioners) and treasurer of ILC Argentina.

She has 15 years of experience as a teacher, having been coordinator and then Director of the Multidisciplinary Course of Gerontology (Geriatrics Unit Hospital Ramos Mejía), Director of the Nursing Care Course in Geriatrics (Hospital Ramos Mejía), Coordinator of the Training Course for Voluntary Health Promoters for Older Adults (Htal Ramos Mejía), and professor of the General and Family Medicine Residency of the City of Buenos Aires.