The new longevity: challenge and opportunity

35th Anniversary of the European Federation of Older Students (EFOS)

23 to 25 October 2025

(23-24/10)➡9:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m (25/10)➡9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m

Calonge Castle

Miranda Riufred Square, Calonge and Sant Antoni (Girona), Spain

View map

The seminar seeks to disseminate and promote new initiatives to give new social meaning to older people in later years.

The proportion of older adults in our population is growing. Unlike previous generations, they now have longer life expectancies and maintain better physical and mental health. They are also intellectually trained which adds to an enriched life experience. Many people live alone and face social exclusion. Active ageing alone is insufficient to address this issue.

New responses are required to transform this situation into a new source of wealth for the entire society. Nowadays, retirement age can count for a third of a lifetime. The question is: what to do with it? To answer this question is to find meaning in the new longevity.

The seminar aims to share and encourage interventions that provide older individuals with new social roles in their later years, preparing them for activities beyond their working life, which includes enriching their own lives and their surroundings.

Seminar programme

23 October

9.30 a.m.	Reception
10.00 a.m.	University opening
10.30 a.m.	Presentation: “The New Longevity”, by Dr Javier Yanguas. Scientific Director of the Programme for the Elderly. Fundació la Caixa
11.30 a.m.	Coffee Break
12.00 p.m.	Paper: “Meaning and Quality of Life in the Golden Years”
1.00 p.m.	Lunch at Calonge Castle
2.30 p.m.	Paper: “Society, Relationships, Connections and Social Prescribing”
4.00 p.m.	Cultural excursion to Pals and Peretallada

9.30 a.m.	Reception
10.00 a.m.	University opening
10.30 a.m.	Presentation: “The New Longevity”, by Dr Javier Yanguas. Scientific Director of the Programme for the Elderly. Fundació la Caixa
11.30 a.m.	Coffee Break
12.00 p.m.	Paper: “Meaning and Quality of Life in the Golden Years”
1.00 p.m.	Lunch at Calonge Castle
2.30 p.m.	Paper: “Society, Relationships, Connections and Social Prescribing”
4.00 p.m.	Cultural excursion to Pals and Peretallada

24 October

9.30 a.m.	Reception
10.00 a.m.	Paper "European values and way of life", by Mr Margaritis Schinás. Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Promoting our European Way of Life (2019–2024)
11.00 a.m.	Coffee Break
11.30 a.m.	Round table: “Transfer of Values and Erasmus+ Mobility as a Tool for Cultural Exchange”
1.00 p.m.	Lunch at Calonge Castle
2.30 p.m.	Paper: “University Programmes for Adults”
4.00 p.m.	Closing of the Scientific Seminar
7.00 p.m.	Gala dinner

9.30 a.m.	Reception
10.00 a.m.	Paper "European values and way of life", by Mr Margaritis Schinás. Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Promoting our European Way of Life (2019–2024)
11.00 a.m.	Coffee Break
11.30 a.m.	Round table: “Transfer of Values and Erasmus+ Mobility as a Tool for Cultural Exchange”
1.00 p.m.	Lunch at Calonge Castle
2.30 p.m.	Paper: “University Programmes for Adults”
4.00 p.m.	Closing of the Scientific Seminar
7.00 p.m.	Gala dinner