II CADOS Autumn School: Longevity and Integral Human Development
Universidade Católica Portuguesa hosted the II CADOS Autumn School, between the 10th and 14th of November, dedicated to the theme “Longevity and Integral Human Development.”
This event highlighted a fundamental conviction: well-being lies in relationships. This principle, present throughout all discussions, should inspire public policies and social practices that place the person at the center. Longevity was approached as a privilege—one that demands care, personal sacrifice, and dedication—but also as an opportunity to embrace vulnerability and foster a culture of closeness.
Over five days, experts and professionals shared complementary perspectives:
- Culture with Peter Hanenberg
- University, statistics, and demography with Céline Abecassis-Moedas
- Health with Maria Vânia Silva Nunes
- Integral Human Development with Paulo Fontes
Coordinated by researcher Maria Alexandra d’Araújo, the School also featured contributions from Laurinda Alves, Francisco Caeiro, and Isabel Vieira, who offered challenging testimonies, as well as innovative examples presented by Frederico Fezas-Vital, Amélia Rita Monteiro, Carlos Courelas, and Leonor Serzedelo. Thanks to the DHI community, Alfredo Brant and Eduardo Prado Cardoso showcased projects that value older age as an active agent, complemented by the regional vision of Ana Paula Amendoeira.
As a closing reflection, Fr. Armindo Vaz reminded us that “old age is the figure life assumes at sunset,” concluding a week of profound dialogue on the role of longevity in contemporary society.
Why this meeting?
The II Autumn School placed longevity at the heart of the debate:
- As constant renewal, reinvention, and relearning
- As a strategic factor for the coming decades
- As an opportunity to transform the culture of vulnerability in old age
- As an impetus to invest in prevention and quality of life
- As a mission for the integral development of each person and society
The DHI Program reaffirms its mission: to promote critical and multidisciplinary dialogue on the challenges and opportunities of aging, involving health, culture, management, religious history, and public policy.