Digital empowerment and challenging age-related stereotypes were at the heart of KMOP’s contribution to Greece’s first nationwide festival centred on older people.
The first Festival of Healthy Ageing took place on 22 and 23 October 2026, at the initiative of the Greek Healthy Cities Network of the World Health Organization and the Municipality of Agioi Anargyroi–Kamatero. It highlighted healthy ageing as a public health and local government priority, connecting research with everyday life and showcasing practices that support wellbeing, autonomy and social participation.
On Thursday 22 October, Elli Kaplani, senior researcher at KMOP, took part in a round-table discussion and presented findings from the organisation’s ongoing Implicit Association Test (IAT) on age. The discussion explored how automatic associations and stereotypes shape perceptions and behaviour towards people of different ages, and why it is important to recognise and address them.
The following day, Dr. Antonia Torrens, Director General of KMOP and President of COFACE Families Europe, spoke about the digital identity of older people and the importance of developing contemporary digital skills.
The session continued with “Digital Conversations”, which gave members of older people’s clubs from the municipalities of Orestiada, Ioannina, Igoumenitsa and Edessa the floor. They shared their experiences of the “Digital Empowerment Hubs” programme, implemented by KMOP with support from the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family. Their contributions brought their perspectives to the fore and highlighted how digital empowerment can support autonomy and equal participation in social life.
Through its presentations and the exchange of experiences, the festival made space for the knowledge and voices of older people themselves. KMOP’s contributions supported a wider discussion about a society that recognises age-related stereotypes and enables people of every age to participate actively and live with autonomy.
The festival was coordinated on behalf of the Municipality of Agioi Anargyroi–Kamatero by Angeliki Oikonomopoulou, Director of Social Policy and Coordinator of the “Ariadni” Day Centre of KMOP. It was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, the Attica Region and the Athens Medical Association, and brought together municipalities from across Greece, local government representatives, researchers, health professionals, social and voluntary organisations, and members of older people’s clubs.