5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

The 5th ISA Forum serves as a key platform for the convergence of experts across diverse disciplines, fostering dialogue on future strategies to effectively manage environmental factors in promoting social equity and inclusion within an expanding ageing global demographic. The quality of our lives is greatly shaped by our interpersonal relationships and social interactions, within the family household, public spaces and institutional settings. The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent regulations, which imposed isolation measures to curb the spread of the virus, have significantly impacted individual physical, psychological, and social wellbeing by disrupting these fundamental connections. These effects are not confined to individuals but resonates throughout a wider community.

Global collaboration which is underpinned by the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030) provides a framework for experts across domains to collaborate in enhancing the wellbeing of older individuals, their families, and their communities. The convergence of the climate crisis and the growing population of older adults presents serious challenges globally, affecting both the Global North and South.

In this session, we will explore the influence of the Anthropocene epoch on the current social, health, and wellbeing of older adults, emphasizing systems thinking and an intergenerational approach. Central to our discussion will be a critical examination of how the built environment can effectively nurture social interaction, equity, and inclusion within this demographic context.