Event on Ageism as part of the NIJZ campaign
On Monday, May 19, 2025, an online event on the topic of ageism was held as part of the campaign, organised under the auspices of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ). Ageism is a social phenomenon that encompasses stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination against oneself and others based on chronological age. It can be conscious or unconscious, positive or negative, and is present in institutions, interpersonal relationships, and within ourselves. In the context of older adults' use of technology, it is referred to as technological ageism.
The meeting was aimed at professionals. The speakers discussed ageism, its consequences, and ways in which society can overcome it, thereby contributing to the formation of an inclusive society where respect for all generations is the foundation of coexistence. The event, moderated by Dr. Mojca Gabrijelčič (NIJZ), featured the following speakers: Aleš Kenda (Ministry of Solidarity-Based Future), Urška Erklavec (NIJZ), and Dr. Simona Hvalič Touzery from the Centre for social informatics.
Dr. Hvalič Touzery delivered two presentations: Ageism as a challenge for contemporary society and Ageism among nursing students and nurses. The first presentation aimed to familiarize participants with the issue of ageism, its consequences, and practices for combating it. In the second presentation, Dr. Hvalič Touzery presented the results of a study conducted among nursing students and nurses as part of the ARIS project Digital transformation of health and social care: Welfare technology acceptance and knowledge among current and future healthcare and social care professionals. The study results show that ageism – as well as stereotypes and prejudices related to technology use among older individuals, is present among both nursing students and, to a lesser extent, among graduate nurses. Since a lack of knowledge about ageism reinforces it further, and because this is particularly problematic in the context of healthcare digitalization, where technology use is becoming unavoidable for all population groups, there is a need for better education and awareness among both professionals and students about the prevalence and consequences of ageism.
The full recording of the meeting (in Slovene) is available on the NIJZ website.