During the Dies Colloquium, we compare the Dutch life expectancies to those of other developed countries. Because almost all inhabitants live to higher ages nowadays, life expectancies can be seen as a marker for the way a country takes care of her older inhabitants. Life expectancies are closely related to the years of  life one can expect to live in good health, it is therefore of key interest to better understand the determinants of these differences in life expectancies.

Prof.dr. J.W. Vaupel, director of the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Germany, will give a key note presentation on life expectancies in developed countries and will show us what to expect for the future of developed countries. Will we continue to live longer?

Prof.dr. R.N. Butler, founder of the National Institute of Aging in the United States, will discuss that not only wealth leads to health but that the reverse is equally true. Health can also create wealth. Vital older people can make significant contributions to our society. This is not limited to the formal sector but stretches from childcare to informal care for aged relatives.

Prof.dr. R.G.J. Westendorp, executive director of the Leyden Academy, will reflect on Dutch life expectancies. What can the Netherlands learn from the way other countries take care of their older inhabitants?

In the forum discussion, lead by the former NRC editor in chief Prof.dr. H.P.M. Knapen, four international experts will discuss the societal impact of longer healthy lives.

We invited Dr. J. Bussemaker, Dutch State secretary, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, to give her reflections on the position of older Dutch inhabitants.

Full programme