The symposium, titled “EMPOWERING FUTURES: Shaping a Dignified Long-Term Care Ecosystem for Healthy Ageing and Well-being of Carers and Older Persons in the Middle East and North Africa,” was a significant event that attracted over 300 participants from around the globe. Held over two days, April 29-30, 2024, at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, it was jointly organized by the Middle East and North Africa Research on Healthy Ageing (MENARAH) Network and the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG).

This symposium highlighted the profound impact of rapid population and demographic changes in the MENA region, exacerbated by mega-trends such as migration and climate change. These factors are reshaping the social and economic landscape, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for creating a sustainable long-term care (LTC) ecosystem. Key learning points from the event included the urgent need for innovative policies and practices to support healthy ageing, the importance of integrating human rights into LTC frameworks, and the necessity of addressing the inequalities faced by older persons and their carers. The symposium also underscored the critical role of formal and informal caregivers in fostering a dignified and supportive environment for the ageing population amidst these dynamic global trends.

Presentations and recordings are available on the following two pages.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR