Key Resources
A Brief But Spectacular take on working together for climate action
Bill McKibben, an environmentalist, founded Third Act to engage people over 60 in climate action. He also co-founded 350.org, the first global grassroots climate campaign, organizing worldwide protests. McKibben stresses the need for collective climate efforts.
Lifelong learning
Women don't LEAVE, they evolve: How motherhood changes careers
Riccarda Zezza was one of them. When she discovered her role had disappeared, she didn’t just see a setback—she saw a missed opportunity. Motherhood, she realized, had equipped her with powerful professional skills that too many workplaces overlook.
Interegenerational connectedness
Public Debates in Schools
Democracy is a daily practice, and schools are key places for young people to learn it. Ashoka and "Encrespados" have developed resources for organizing respectful public debates and a new tool on aging and intergenerational collaboration, now being tested in a center for older adults.
Designed by Ashoka Brazil.
Bringing the Generations Together
As America becomes more multi-generational, how do we design for more connection across the age spectrum?How do we reintegrate after the pandemic that has isolated most of us in one way or another and cordoned off elders due to virus risks? Marc Freeman shares more.
Narrative Shift
How one organization is aiming to counter ageism
Ximena Abogabir felt an emotional sting around age 70 when her colleagues in Santiago, Chile, began to treat her less as an asset and more as a liability. Her own experience, along with rising stereotypes about older people’s value in the workplace and society, inspired her to co-create “Travesía Cien,” an organization to help counter ageism in her country and beyond.
A Changemaker's Guide to Storytelling
Sharing our stories is easier than ever. What makes great stories so powerful is their "stickiness," their ability to draw our attention and engage our hearts and minds. The best stories spread good ideas like wildfire and inspire us to take action. And that's precisely what makes storytelling such a powerful tool for social innovators.
Caregiving
A Brief But Spectacular take on designing better lives for all
Emi Kiyota is an internationally recognized thought leader on healthy aging. Inspired by her grandmother’s experience, Kiyota helps create elder communities with spaces that accommodate everyone. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on designing better lives for all.
Memory loss & the journey of carers
Ashoka Fellow DY Suharya experienced first hand the total lack of social support for patients with dementia and their families when her mother was diagnosed. She founded ALZI to pioneer a cross-generations movement to improve the quality of life of people with dementia and their caregivers.
Reimagining Care - Carers of the Global Agenda
The demand for carers - those who look out for others, often unpaid and invisible - will double and triple in the coming decades. It's time to reimagine the vital role of carers in an increasingly dynamic world.two Ashoka Fellows envisioning a new culture of care. Anil Patil supports 70,000+ carers in South Asia and advocates for their legal recognition. Al Etmanski, who has championed people with disabilities and their families in Canada for decades, sees this kind of "natural caring" as the foundation for democracy.
Health
This ‘Friendship Bench’ is pulling on the healing power of grandmothers
Dixon Chibanda brought the two together by founding “The Friendship Bench,” an organization that recruits and trains older women in cognitive behavioral therapy and then connects them with clients dealing with “kufungisisa,” or depression. In this episode, Dixon describes the things he’s learned while witnessing the healing power of grandmothers–and of sharing stories.
Grandmothers democratizing mental health care
Imagine you live in a country of 16 million people, with serious socio-economic hardships that are aggravating a growing mental health crisis. Now, imagine your country only has 12 certified psychiatrists and very few psychologists. How do you plug this monumental mental health gap? This is the difficult question Zimbabwean social entrepreneur and psychiatrist Dixon Chibanda is addressing.
Opening the mind: online course
Opening The Mind Course – is a transformative learning experience developed by Friendship Bench, built on over a decade of delivering mental health support globally.
Are you looking to strengthen your listening skills? Learn how to be there for someone? Understand how to use empathy as a tool for connection, provide psychoeducation, and create safe spaces for people to share their stories,?
This course is designed for anyone who wants to develop skills in active listening, therapeutic alliance, and emotional support - empowering you to make a real difference in the lives of those around you.
Be part of this journey!
Key Features
Systems Change Masterclass by Ashoka
These Powerful Tools for Scaling Impact Across Sectors training will help you craft a strong strategy deck in just 10 weeks. Through this free program, you’ll gain the skills needed to scale your impact effectively. The course is available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Czech. Enroll now
The Future of Jobs Report 2025
Aging populations, AI advancements, and the green transition are reshaping the global workforce, as highlighted in the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025. Employers anticipate a surge in demand for healthcare professionals, renewable energy specialists, and AI-driven roles while navigating skill gaps and economic uncertainty. With 86% of businesses expecting AI to transform their operations and 85% prioritizing workforce reskilling, the future of work will require adaptability and lifelong learning. As demographic shifts accelerate, investing in age-inclusive policies and caregiving innovations will be key. Explore how longevity is shaping the future of jobs.
Supporting Family Caregiving: How Employers Can Lead
The Milken Institute's report 2025, "Supporting Family Caregiving: How Employers Can Lead," highlights the rising demands of family caregiving, with 53 million Americans balancing caregiving and work. Caregiving strains productivity and job satisfaction, costing employers up to $33 billion annually due to absenteeism and turnover. To support their workforce, the report suggests employers implement flexible work arrangements, offer paid family leave, and create caregiver support groups. These actions not only boost employee retention and satisfaction but also improve organizational productivity. The report urges employers to adopt policies that foster a supportive, inclusive workplace. Learn more.
Women Have the Power to Change the Narrative on Longevity and Aging
Women have won the longevity lottery, outliving men by an average of six years with all the opportunities and challenges that greater longevity brings. New research informs us that living a longer fulfilling life is no longer just about genetics. We have up to 90% control over our longevity, and women, with their power and influence in the world, are poised to lead the way to change the narrative on aging. Read more
The Longevity Imperative
Andrew Scott, Professor of Economics at London Business School and author of "The 100-Year Life," joined the Longevity Book Club to discuss his new book, "The Longevity Imperative: How to Build a Healthier and More Productive Society to Support Our Longer Lives." In his conversation with Ken and Martha, Andrew explored the individual, social, political, economic, and cultural changes needed to ensure that people of all ages can lead not only longer but also healthier, happier, and more productive lives. Share your thoughts
Lifelong learning: Stanford GSE student collects her master’s degree after 80 years in education
Virginia Hislop accepts her diploma for her master of arts in education at the GSE’s 2024 commencement ceremony from Dean Dan Schwartz. She collects her degree after more than 80 years doing education work in schools and on school boards in Yakima, Washington. Find out more
Many Days, many Nights
Studies say the person who will live 150 years has already been born. But what are we actually doing with this opportunity? "Many Days, Many Nights," a new documentary by Maria Farinha Filmes ("Aruanas," "The Beginning of Life") directed by Cacau Rhoden ("Not Even in a Wildest Dream," "Drops of Joy"), takes a deep dive into the purposes of our existence on the planet. Experts and thinkers invite us to look at the opportunities and inequalities of the theme, as well as our own connection with time and age. The longevity revolution has already begun, and it has come to transform the future of all generations. Watch Now
How to Live to 100 with Blue Zones explorer Dan Buettne
Discover the Powerful Connection Between happiness and Longevity.
Research shows that nurturing meaningful relationships and finding purpose are vital for both happiness and a longer, healthier life. From fostering connections to pursuing passions, prioritize these elements to unlock a life brimming with joy, purpose, and vitality. Join the conversation