The HKUST Center for Aging Science co-organized the conference “Ageing and Civic Participation: A Dialogue Between France and Hong Kong” on 23 October 2025.Co-hosted with the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (CEFC) and the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, the event brought together participants from Hong Kong and France to exchange insights on the opportunities and challenges presented by population ageing and to explore ways to strengthen civic participation among older adults.
As populations continue to age around the world, fostering meaningful participation among older adults has become an increasingly important policy and research priority. The conference provided a platform for cross-cultural dialogue on how governments, researchers, community organizations and citizens can work together to build age-friendly environments that enable older adults to remain active contributors to society.
The conference commenced with opening remarks from representatives of HKUST, the French Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau, CEFC and the social service sector, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in addressing population ageing and fostering inclusive societies. The opening also featured a presentation on the Jockey Club Dance Well Project, illustrating how innovative community and cultural initiatives can encourage active participation and wellbeing among older adults.
Session 1: Ageing and Civic Participation in International Perspectives
The first session, moderated by Prof. Stuart GIETEL-BASTEN, explored ageing and civic participation from international perspectives. Prof. Jean-Philippe VIRIOT DURANDAL of Université de Lorraine and Prof. Cheryl CHUI of The University of Hong Kong examined how participation among older adults is understood and encouraged across different societal and policy contexts. Drawing on experiences from France and Hong Kong, the discussion highlighted the importance of empowering older adults as active citizens and strengthening age-friendly initiatives that promote inclusion and engagement.
Session 2: Age-friendliness and Participation – From Diagnostic to Implementation
Moderated by Dr. Justine ROCHOT, the second session focused on translating age-friendly principles into practical action. Pierre-Olivier LEFEBVRE, Executive Director of the Francophone Network of Age-friendly Cities, and Dr. Ruby YU, Senior Research Fellow at the CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, shared experiences from France and Hong Kong on implementing age-friendly city initiatives and promoting social participation among older people. The session highlighted the importance of collaboration among governments, researchers and community organizations in creating supportive environments for ageing populations.
Session 3: Participatory Designs and Civic Inclusion in Ageing Societies
The final session examined how participatory design and inclusive approaches can empower older adults and enhance community involvement. Dr. Marion SCHEIDER-YILMAZ of the University of Lorraine and Prof. Izzy Yi JIAN of The Education University of Hong Kong shared research and practical experiences related to community engagement, inclusive environments and age-friendly design. Moderated by Prof. Bridget Tianyin LIU of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the session emphasized the value of involving older adults directly in shaping services, programs and environments that affect their daily lives.
Advancing Dialogue on Ageing and Participation
The conference highlighted the value of international dialogue in addressing the complex social implications of population ageing. By bringing together experts and practitioners from France and Hong Kong, the event created opportunities for meaningful exchange across research, policy and practice, while fostering new connections among stakeholders working in the ageing field.
The discussions underscored the importance of developing innovative and locally relevant approaches to support ageing populations, while encouraging continued collaboration across sectors and borders. Participants shared insights from diverse institutional and cultural contexts, demonstrating how international perspectives can contribute to more effective responses to demographic change.
As a co-organizer of the conference, the HKUST Center for Aging Science remains committed to serving as a platform for interdisciplinary research, knowledge exchange and global partnership, advancing understanding of ageing and supporting the development of evidence-informed policies and practices for the future.
