Impact programme: “Ageing independently in your own environment”

During the 23rd World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG), Amsterdam presents an impact programme that demonstrates how the city works together with partners to support independent ageing in their own environment. amsterdam&partners developed the programme together with local, healthcare and knowledge partners around four public activities in and around RAI Amsterdam. The programme connects science, technology, culture and community initiatives focused on social connection, innovation in healthcare and awareness of ageing.

The impact programme is part of the IAGG World Congress 2026 in Amsterdam and is coordinated by Amsterdam & Partners in collaboration with various social and knowledge partners. During the congress, the programme is freely accessible to all residents of Amsterdam.

1. Amsterdam City Reporters

From 3 to 8 July, the Amsterdam City Reporters will be presenting highlights from their films, which showcase the power of ageing in the city. This is a unique film project that highlights the power of ageing in the city. The most inspiring clips from the Amsterdam City Reporters have been combined into a film of approximately 20 minutes’.

The film will be shown continuously on a screen near Amsterdam RAI metro station, offering visitors a lively glimpse into the daily lives of active older adults. From neighbourhoods in Nieuw-West to Noord and Oost, the film shows how older adults contribute as volunteers, initiators and engaged participants. The story that emerges is clear and hopeful: healthy ageing is not only about healthcare, but also about social connectedness and active participation in society.

The video material was created by the City Reporters themselves: Engaged local residents with life experience who, often as volunteers, document their neighbourhoods. Under the guidance of professional filmmakers, they develop their skills in filming, interviewing and editing. Their reports showcase the diversity, resilience and sense of community that make Amsterdam so special.

With this film, Stichting Stadsparels demonstrates how local initiatives and human connections contribute to a city where everyone can continue to participate, at every age.

2. Smarthouse Amsterdam

Discover the Future of Healthy Ageing

Are you curious about how technology can help you stay healthy, fit and active for longer? During the international IAGG Congress, ROC van Amsterdam opens its doors to all Amsterdam residents!

Come and experience for yourself how enjoyable it can be to stay active with technology. Try exergaming, for example: a playful combination of exercise and gaming that helps improve your balance, strength and memory.
Great fun for all ages!

You can also take a look at the future of healthcare. Through a unique VR experience, you will step into the world of elderly care and discover how technology can make life easier and better.

What can visitors experience?

Visitors are introduced to various innovations in healthcare and social care through interactive displays. Visitors can try out a range of technologies for themselves and discover how these contribute to person-centred care and the education of future healthcare professionals.

GERT-experiance
The GERT (GERonTological simulator) ageing simulation suit allows visitors to experience the physical limitations that older people may face in their daily lives. By experiencing for themselves how movement, vision and hearing change, they develop a greater understanding of and empathy for the client.

Exercising together with the Moofie
The Moofie is an innovative exercise device that encourages visitors to get active in a playful way using light, sound, music and spoken exercise instructions. It makes exercise accessible, motivating and fun.

CRDL
The CRDL (Cradle for Care) translates human touch into sound. This helps to establish contact with people who struggle with communication and social interaction, such as those with dementia, autism or an intellectual disability.

Somnox
Somnox supports relaxation and rest through the feeling of your own breathing. The gentle breathing motion helps your body and mind to relax, without you actively having to do anything.

Exergaming
additionally we will showcase exergaming: an innovative combination of exercise and serious gaming. This brings together practice, learning and physical activity in a motivating and interactive way.

Important take-away
Healthcare technology is not about the technology itself, it’s about better care and genuine human connection. Students learn to use technology in a thoughtful, practical and empathetic way to improve clients’ quality of life.

What visitors should bring:
·       GERT → technology starts with understanding and empathy
·       Moofie → technology promotes well-being, physical activity and personal autonomy
·       CRDL →technology can strengthen human connection
·       Somnox → technology supports rest, health and balance
·       Exergaming → technology makes learning and physical activity motivating and accessible.

We educate the healthcare professionals of the future to not only use technology, but to apply it meaningfully in their interactions with patients and clients.

Who would find this experience interesting?
For anyone who wants to find out how healthcare professionals are trained to apply technology in a people-centred, practical and mindful way within the healthcare and welfare sectors.

How long does a visit last?
Visitors can choose which parts of the exhibition they wish to explore. A full visit takes around an hour at most.

What makes this experience unique?
Visitors can experience for themselves how technology and a people-centred approach come together in the training of future healthcare professionals. The focus is not on the technology, but on the people behind the care.

Whether you are here to try something new, are curious about innovation, or simply want to enjoy a pleasant afternoon, you’re more than welcome.

Free entry, loop gewoon binnen.

6 & 7 July 2026, 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm
 ROC van Amsterdam – MBO College Zuid, Europaboulevard 13

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Practoraat De mbo’er als onderzoeker | Practoraat Exergaming en Neurofeedback | Smarthouse ROC van Amsterdam en Flevoland

3. Future Selfcare: meet your future self

Healthy and happy ageing is something everyone wants, isn’t it? So why do we so often choose short-term gratification over our long-term well-being?
We know that smoking, alcohol consumption, an unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise can be harmful to our health. However, lifestyle-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes are still on the rise. In an environment full of temptations, sticking to healthy habits can be difficult.

Because the consequences of our lifestyle choices often only become visible later in life, the future can sometimes feel far away. Research shows that connecting with your “future self” can help you make choices that are beneficial in the long term.

On the occasion of the IAGG World Congress 2026, Leyden Academy is organising a special public activity for the city: the Ageing Experiment. Meet your future self!

In this interactive experiment, you can meet your future self in various ways and experience what it’s like to be older. Could this encounter help you make healthier choices today? Previous versions of this experiment, carried out at festivals and conferences, showed that participants were more likely to say afterwards that they wanted to live healthier lives and felt more understanding towards their older selves and towards older people in their community.

All Amsterdam residents are warmly invited to participate!

  7  July 2026, 10:00 AM -5 PM
Close to RAI (in front of Entrance C)

4. Oudroze

Photographer and artist Ernst Coppejans, through Oudroze, reflects on the experiences of the first gay men, lesbian women, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) who dared to openly come out.The exhibition highlights the generations who contributed to LGBTQ+ emancipation and explores the meaning of freedom and visibility over the years.

Organised in collaboration with the Open Mind Foundation, the exhibition aims to foster intergenerational dialogue and has previously been presented as a travelling multimedia exhibition.

  3-8 July 2026
Close to RAI (in front of Entrance C)

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