Summer School 2026: Future-Oriented Approaches to Ageing

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

-apply foresight methods and analyse future scenarios related to ageing and rehabilitation

- recognise their role in shaping person-centred and future-oriented solutions for ageing populations through group-based learning and practical case examples that connect Finnish approaches with participants’ own professional and cultural contexts

- understand multidisciplinary and intersectoral approaches to ageing and rehabilitation

- identify the foundations of participation and agency in promoting well-being and inclusion

- understand and manage moral distress in professional and care settings, emphasising ethical competence and the ethical right to participation

- evaluate the role of occupational justice and physical, social and digital environments in supporting meaningful participation

- identify barriers to inclusion and digital participation among older adults and propose equitable solutions, informed by experiential learning such as observing service environments and experimenting with simulations of functional limitations and ageing-related changes

- promote participation, inclusion and well-being across diverse populations using rehabilitation-oriented and future-focused thinking

Participants explore ageing through the lenses of futures literacy, inclusion and agency. Learning activities are grounded in concrete examples, simulations, campus-based learning environments and guided study visits, ensuring a continuous and explicit connection between theory and practice throughout the two-week programme.

From ethical decision-making to digital participation and occupational justice, the course introduces practical foresight tools and collaborative innovation methods that support reimagining ageing-related systems and services. Digital participation is examined through demonstrations and observations of remote care and home-based digital solutions, with specific attention to device safety, usability, accessibility and relevant legislation.

The programme takes place in Helsinki, Finland’s capital and an internationally recognised frontrunner in wellbeing and education. Study visits and campus learning environments—such as simulation facilities, HyMy Village and rehabilitation learning spaces—enable participants to observe, experience and evaluate services from the user’s perspective, including situations where shared language is limited and non-verbal interaction becomes central.

The Wellbeing Summer School 2026 examines participation, inclusion and agency in later life, highlighting rehabilitation as a key approach for promoting functional ability, participation and well-being across the lifespan.

Through a future-oriented and person-centred framework, participants explore the challenges and opportunities of ageing societies and collaboratively develop innovative solutions that strengthen empowerment, inclusion and sustainable well-being.

The course structure follows a clear progression from future-oriented thinking and participation in gerontology to active ageing, social exclusion, digital inclusion, occupational justice, ethics and moral distress, and finally to the development of future-oriented solutions. Learning is supported through interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, guided study visits, simulations and multidisciplinary group work.

Prior to the course, participants complete a preliminary assignment reflecting on the future of ageing, rehabilitation and well-being in their own professional and cultural contexts.

This course is open to:

• Students and professionals in the social and health care field (Bachelor’s and Master’s levels)
• Field of study: Social, health, technology and rehabilitation fields
• No specific prerequisites, but an interest in well-being and ageing is highly encouraged.