On November 8th, CATÓLICA-LISBON, through the Yunus Social Innovation Center—the first social innovation center in Portugal—held its inaugural Topic Talk, dedicated to the theme "Challenges and Opportunities of Ageing and Longevity". The event explored the societal impact of aging and longevity, emphasizing the essential role of social innovation in creating sustainable solutions to demographic challenges.
"One of the key pillars of the Research Center is the transfer of knowledge to society and the community by engaging key players we consider fundamental", stated Frederico Fezas Vital, Executive Director of the Yunus Social Innovation Center. This vision reflects CATÓLICA-LISBON's commitment to leading dialogue on critical issues like longevity and aging, fostering connections between academic knowledge and societal needs, with the goal of generating a positive and sustainable impact.
The event featured contributions from Filipe Santos, Dean of CATÓLICA-LISBON, Frederico Fezas Vital, and Céline Abecassis-Moedas, Academic Director of the Longevity Leadership program, who also moderated a roundtable discussion with a panel of experts: Sérgio Serapião, co-founder of Labora Tech; Elena Durán, founder of 55+; and Luís Jacob, President of RUTIS. The session concluded with a presentation by Sérgio Serapião, illustrating how technology can foster a more inclusive society.
Reflections on Aging and the Workforce
During her speech, Céline Abecassis-Moedas highlighted the social and economic impact of population aging. Drawing on current demographic data, Céline noted that population pyramids, once heavily weighted toward youth, are becoming more balanced, with a growing proportion of people aged 65 and over. "We are witnessing a global demographic shift affecting both Western and Asian countries", she said. This change is already evident in Portugal, where the senior population is projected to exceed 30% of the total population soon.
Céline also pointed out opportunities related to an aging workforce, noting that employment rates for workers aged 55–64 have been steadily increasing. "If we look at the employment rate for older workers, it's the age group with the fastest growth", she remarked, highlighting that while Portugal has seen significant growth in older workers, the employment rate for this age group remains low compared to the OECD average.
Nevertheless, she emphasized the need for greater adaptation in the labor market and education systems, with a focus on lifelong learning. "Universities will need to rethink their role in continuous education, especially for older adults", she said, advocating for programs like MBAs tailored to older age groups. Her proposal for business schools was clear: "We should create MBA programs for people over 50".
This view was echoed by the experts present at the roundtable. Sérgio Serapião, co-founder of Labora Tech and leader of LAB60+, stressed the urgency of shifting from a youth-centric culture and the traditional perception of life as a linear sequence of three stages (education, work, and retirement). "Life is no longer tri phased. It consists of smaller cycles that are redefined over time. People no longer rigidly transition from study to work to retirement—they now experience multiple cycles, with new professions and forms of work".
Regarding public policies, Elena Durán, founder and Executive Director of 55+, emphasized the importance of more flexible retirement systems: "Retirement should be flexible, allowing people to continue contributing in ways adapted to society's evolving needs". She also highlighted the importance of combating ageism, promoting reskilling, and fostering intergenerational initiatives such as podcasts and educational programs. "Tools like podcasts and the involvement of public figures can help bridge the generational gap", she said.
Luís Jacob, President of RUTIS, offered a critical analysis of the current situation in Portugal, highlighting gaps in public health policies. He presented concerning data on longevity and health, noting that while Portugal's life expectancy is similar to Sweden's, the number of healthy years after retirement is significantly lower: "While we have an average of 8 healthy years after retirement, the Swedes enjoy 16."
The importance of integrating older individuals into the workforce and adapting new technologies to their needs was emphasized as urgent challenges. "People with higher education levels find it easier to extend their participation in the labor market, whereas those with lower education levels approach retirement differently", observed the President of RUTIS.
A Path Toward Social Innovation
"We talk a lot about longevity, natality, and how the combination of the two shapes our population structure and the future of Portugal", concluded Filipe Santos, Dean of CATÓLICA-LISBON, in his closing remarks, underscoring the strategic importance of addressing these issues in an integrated manner.
In this context, Filipe Santos announced the launch of a new mobilization pact focused on longevity and natality, set to begin next year. Its goal is to prepare Portugal for the future by rallying stakeholders, organizations, and influencers to shape public policies and share innovative business practices and benchmark projects. "There’s much to be done, and we will do it, starting next year with everyone’s help", he concluded, reaffirming the vision of a more inclusive society prepared for demographic challenges.