The European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research celebrated its 50^th anniversary to commemorate the contributions made to social policy developments across the member states of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The events were jointly implemented by the European Centre and its Board of Directors, especially the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMSGPK) and comprised the Ceremonial Act on 25 September 2024, followed by a two-days-lasting Invitational Conference on ‘The future of social welfare policy and research’ in the United Nations Offices at Vienna on 26-27 September 2024.

The eighth BBinar focused on the demographic changes in BB countries, the challenges they pose, what opportunities may arise, and what are the possible policy responses.

In our series of international seminars discussing ‘A Research Agenda for Ageing and Social Policy’, this online event highlighted another two key issues of ageing and social policy - on the one hand, the myth of the demographic deficit was challenged by Sarah Harper and Yanan Zhang, on the other hand, Giovanni Lamura and Henk Nies highlighted the research needs in the area of long-term care. 

In our series of international seminars discussing ‘A Research Agenda for Ageing and Social Policy‘ this online event highlighted another two key issues of ageing and social policy - the ageing workforce in times of digitalization and shifting social relations and family patterns connected to population ageing.

In our series of international seminars discussing ‘A Research Agenda for Ageing and Social Policy‘ this online event highlighted two key issues of ageing and social policy - combating ageism and promoting active ageing. Clemens Tesch-Römer and Liat Ayalon presented cultural and societal patterns of age-related discrimination and their impact on social and public policies, and they proposed research to expand the evidence base. Oxana Sinyavskaya then followed with an analysis of the active ageing concept that has shaped social policies around ageing over the past decades. Synthesizing scientific and political perspectives, she revealed the needs for further research and policy development.