On Friday, April 17, Flacso Chile will host the seminar "Municipalities Facing the Challenge of Aging: Local Governance and Policies for Older Adults." The event, held in Vitacura, will bring together local officials, government representatives, academics, and members of civil society.
The seminar is a response to preliminary data from the 2024 Census, which reveals that the population aged 65 and older has doubled over the last three decades. Demographic projections for Chile estimate that, within the next twenty years, one in three residents will be 60 or older.
The seminar aims to develop integrated governance models that provide a sustainable response to this demographic shift. The core proposal focuses on strengthening the strategic role of municipalities through a territorial approach that coordinates efforts between local authorities, the State, and private stakeholders.
Care management and territorial collaboration
The opening remarks will be delivered by Flacso Chile Director Fabricio Franco and the Mayor of La Reina and President of Amuch, José Manuel Palacios.
Paula Forttes, Director of the Aging and Care Area at Flacso Chile, will deliver a keynote lecture. Her presentation will address the keys to municipal management focused on caregiving and the development of a territorial social state.
An intersectoral panel will bring together local and central government officials to share management experiences. Participants will include Mayors Baldomero Santos (Teodoro Schmith) and Jonny Yáñez (Cerrillos), alongside Octavio Vergara, Director of Sello Mayor.
Alejandro Fernández, Undersecretary of Social Services for the Ministry of Social Development and Family, will also join the debate. The goal is to advance collaborative mechanisms to address aging at the local level.
The event will also feature the launch of the Municipal Best Practices Competition for Older Adults. This initiative aims to identify, systematize, and promote local experiences that have the potential to be replicated in other municipalities.
The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Flacso Chile facilities. The seminar is intended for mayors, municipal teams, academics, and public policy designers working in the fields of aging and caregiving.
