We’re Headed to Philadelphia
The Global Ageing Network will be hosting a full day Summit before the 2026 LeadingAge Annual Meeting. Join international leaders, innovators, policymakers, researchers, and service providers for this full-day summit focused on building societies that are ready for longevity.
2026 Summit
The program will feature global perspectives and cross-disciplinary dialogue to help participants challenge traditional assumptions about ageing, explore emerging innovations and best practices, and identify opportunities to prepare organizations, communities, and societies for the realities—and possibilities—of demographic change. Don’t miss this opportunity to join colleagues from around the world as they explore innovative approaches to supporting lifelong wellness, creating age-ready environments, harnessing technology to transform the aging experience, sustaining high-quality care through workforce development, and advancing the policy changes needed to shape aging-friendly communities.
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Objectives
Share insights, innovations across disciplines and their application to age-readiness; challenge assumptions; identify actionable opportunities
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Structure
Summit is built around five themes: Wellness and Wellbeing, Environments. Technology, Workforce, and Policy. Panelists will provide a perspective from their discipline, facilitated by a Global Ageing Network Board member. After each panel, there will be a discussion on the implications for providers and what we need to do/learn/build now to be age ready.
Tentative Schedule
9:00–9:30 a.m.: Welcome and Opening Remarks
What and Why focus on Age Readiness – Setting the stage
- Speakers to be announced
9:30–10:30 a.m.: Wellness and Wellbeing
Exploring the dimensions of wellness – spiritual, physical, intellectual, recreational and emotional (SPIRE)
- Brian Van Weele, VP of Strategic Partnerships, Buck Institute for Research on Aging.(Other angles: lifelong learning; focus on combating social isolation)
- Facilitated by Marcus Riley, Chairman, Ballycara
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Environments
Rethinking Communities, Neighborhoods, Service Infrastructure
Possible speakers:
- Paul Sharman – PACE Canada (building a network to connect people to services);
- Phillipe Saad, architect – creating spaces to build community
- Facilitated by Judy Martin, PJGlobal Connect
1:00–2:00 p.m.: Technology
In what ways can technology enable (or hinder) age readiness?
Possible speakers:
- Donald Macaskill, CEO, Scottish Care – Ethics of Ai
2:00–3:00 p.m.: Workforce
Who will provide the care?
- Rebekah Smith, CEO, LaMP with focus on labor migration
- Mansur Dalal, Former Chair, CommonAge
3:30–4:30 p.m.: Connecting the Threads: Roundtable Discussion
What needs to change? What will move policymakers?
- Table Moderators: Brian Van Weele, Mansur Dalal, Phillipe Saad, Donald Macaskill
4:30–5:00 p.m.: Closing Remarks
Key themes – elements of framework of age readiness.
- Remarks provided by Vic Rayner and Katie Smith Sloan
Featured Speaker
Registration Information
The Global Ageing Network Summit is a preconference event at the 2026 LeadingAge Annual Meeting. A $175 registration fee applies to all Summit attendees.
