| Sumario: | Issue The symposium is addressing the issue of preventive policies in global ageing. Public policies are needed to enhance the process of ageing well and the civil society is needed to bring the resources of old age visible and into societal use1. Content The symposium has a strong global point of view presenting elements of ageing policies and practices from several parts of the world2,3. The solutions and opportunities differ, not to mention the huge differences among the older people themselves. In the same time the elementary needs of older people are quite similar. Universally, older people prefer to live at their homes as long as possible, many with their families but with increasing urbanisation hoping to live alone. Age-friendly environment is then important, including new housing and communication opportunities4. Participation is one of the most central needs of human beings. Until now too few innovations for older people have been developed with a participatory pattern. Co-design where company representatives, municipalities and older people can engage with a dialogue with each other will create new solutions. Older people themselves have not insisted enough in participation. The symposium will also discuss the preventive elements in gerontechnology5, which have largely been underestimated and neglected in public policies. However, promotion of wellbeing and health and prevention of illnesses and disabilities are cornerstones of ageing well. People of all ages can enhance their own ageing mentally, physically and socially with simple measures which do not cost but effort. Thus it can also be debated that gerontechnology starts at birth and even earlier, and the evidence will be presented by referring modern research in the field of epigenetics, mental health and functional abilities. Structure There will be 5 oral presentations, followed by a panel discussion and question and answer session for the participants. Conclusion The aim of the session is to raise awareness of the participants of the importance of ageing as a life-long process and to show the importance of different policies and political decisions. It will also concretize the vast differences in the preconditions of ageing globally. The actors in gerontechnology have a role to play to educate the politicians and greater public to understand and develop opportunities of ageing well.
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