Years of Life: Longevity Between Challenges and Opportunities

The conference explores the increase in life expectancy in developed countries since the mid-twentieth century—a phenomenon of cultural significance, shaped and brought about by human choices, decisions and actions.

Against the backdrop of changing patterns of life, the challenges associated with longevity have become an increasingly prominent issue both in developed regions of the world and, looking ahead, in developing countries. These transformations mark a departure from the past: the length of life, across its various stages, has become less dependent on chance and necessity, and increasingly open to being shaped and controlled.

From this perspective, which highlights individual and collective choices and the responsibilities they entail, the conference seeks to answer a question: “How can we meet and overcome the challenge of ensuring that life, extended for many beyond limits once considered unattainable, retains the quality desired by those living it?”

The prospect of a life that is both long and of good quality is examined from different perspectives, considering both the conditions and lifestyles that support active ageing in good health, and strategies and approaches to care in the context of illness.

Particular attention will be paid to issues surrounding cognitive decline and strategies for addressing it, seeking to reconcile the rejection of prejudice and unwarranted generalisations with the ethical and legal imperative to respect each individual as a person.

Programme

9.30 · Institutional welcome

9.45 · Introductory lecture

What ethics for longevity? Legal principles and rules
Patrizia Borsellino

10.20 · The challenge of healthy longevity: Problems and strategies

Chairs: Sergio Fucci and Valerio Pocar

Being older: stereotypes and reality
Franca Porciani

Gender and longevity. Gender differences in the roles of caregivers and patients
Carla Faralli

11.10 · Break

Towards a longevity ecosystem. Demography, territory and technology
Stefania Bandini

Personal and social support: the positive impact of exposure to art on health indicators
Lucio Rovati

12.30 · Discussion

13.30 · Lunch break

15.00 · Ethical challenges of longevity in ill health

Chairs: Lorena Forni and Arianna Cozzolino

Promoting active ageing: community intervention strategies for older people
Giuseppe Bellelli

Longevity in hospital: new challenges and new opportunities in caring for older people
Maria Cristina Ferrara

What interventions can prevent and treat cognitive decline?
Gabriella Bottini

How can autonomy be protected until the end of life?
(Support administration, shared care planning, advance treatment directives)
Andrea Millul

17.15 · Discussion

17.30 · Concluding remarks

What kind of longevity awaits us?

Speakers and chairs

Prof. Patrizia Borsellino, former Full Professor of Philosophy of Law and Bioethics, University of Milano-Bicocca; President of CEF

Dr Franca Porciani, journalist, writer and editor-in-chief of ilbuongiorno.com

Prof. Carla Faralli, Professor Emerita of Philosophy of Law, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna

Prof. Stefania Bandini, Full Professor of Computer Science, University of Milano-Bicocca

Prof. Lucio Rovati, Chief Executive Officer, Rottapharm Biotech; Adjunct Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Milano-Bicocca; Honorary President, Fondazione Luigi Rovati

Prof. Giuseppe Bellelli, Full Professor of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca

Dr Maria Cristina Ferrara, specialist in Geriatrics at Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori; researcher, University of Milano-Bicocca

Prof. Gabriella Bottini, Full Professor of Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Pavia

Dr Andrea Millul, Medical Director, Istituti Riuniti Airoldi e Muzzi, Lecco

Prof. Valerio Pocar, former Full Professor of Sociology of Law and Bioethics, University of Milano-Bicocca; member of CEF

Dr Sergio Fucci, former magistrate; member of CEF

Dr Arianna Cozzolino, palliative care physician formerly with ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda in Milan; member of CEF

Prof. Lorena Forni, Associate Professor of Philosophy of Law, University of Milano-Bicocca; member of CEF

Scientific committee

Patrizia Borsellino, Renzo Causarano, Arianna Cozzolino, Lorena Forni, Sergio Fucci, Michele Gallucci, Primo Gelati, Barbara Lissoni, Sabina Mediani, Simona Morganti, Antonella Piga, Valerio Pocar, Beatrice Tessadori, Stefano Vignali