The Bizkaia Provincial Council has brought together 34 people from different districts for a new Discussion Forum on Longevity and Ageism at Torre BAT. Together, the participants have produced 20 recommendations to promote new ways of understanding ageing, identify levers for change and make progress towards a more inclusive society.

The forum, which was organised by the Directorate‑General for Good Governance, Citizen Services and Digital Services, was attended by Naiara Artaza, Director‑General for Longevity and the Demographic Challenge. Among the participants, there was a balance of women and men aged between 20 and 87. This forum was the fifth to take place as part of an initiative aimed at strengthening citizen participation in addressing key issues for the province of Bizkaia.

A session for constructing a Bizkaia for people of all ages

The session highlighted the demographic changes taking place in Bizkaia, where people over 65 already represent 24% of the total population and could reach 32% by 2050. In light of these changes, the importance of not only living longer but doing so with improved quality of life, autonomy and active participation was underlined.

One of the main challenges addressed was ageism, which concerns how negative beliefs and attitudes concerning older people can affect the rights, opportunities and wellbeing of this collective. Participants analysed how this phenomenon manifests itself in areas such as employment, healthcare and the media.

The debate was structured around four key topics: eliminating stereotypes, adapting public policies, promoting the participation of elderly people and strengthening community‑based care.

In the coming weeks, the Provincial Council will publish a report outlining how it will respond to the citizens’ proposals. This initiative reinforces its commitment to placing longevity at the heart of public policy and to shaping a Bizkaia that values all generations equally and promotes longer, better lives for all citizens.