09:30

Opening Session & Political Panel

Official Opening Session & Keynote Segment

Panel 1

Political Leadership for Social Connection: From Recognition to Action

This high-level panel will explore how governments are responding to loneliness and social isolation as growing societal and political challenges. Ministers and senior representatives will present national approaches, governance models and policy priorities, including measures relating to health, social participation, ageing, community development and social cohesion. Particular attention will be given to the question of how responsibility for social connection can be embedded across different areas of government rather than addressed through isolated initiatives.

The panel aims to identify shared political priorities, highlight promising national approaches and strengthen international cooperation on loneliness and social connection. It should provide political momentum for moving from general recognition of the issue towards coordinated and sustainable government action.

12:00

Lunch break

13:10

Loneliness, an international and national challenge

Panel 2

Making Loneliness Visible: Evidence, Lived Experience and Unequal Risk

Loneliness and social isolation often remain invisible in public policy, despite their considerable effects on individual well-being, public health and social cohesion. This panel will bring together scientific evidence, available data and the lived realities of affected persons. It will examine how loneliness can be defined and measured, which social and structural factors increase the risk of isolation, and which population groups may be particularly affected.

The discussion will also address gaps in existing data and the need to distinguish between temporary experiences of loneliness and persistent forms of social disconnection. The panel aims to establish a shared understanding of the scale and complexity of the challenge and to identify the evidence and indicators required for effective policy development and monitoring.

Panel 3

Building an Austrian Response: Challenges, Initiatives and Opportunities

Austria already has a broad range of initiatives that contribute to social participation, psychosocial health, volunteering, community development and the prevention of loneliness. This panel will present selected Austrian approaches and examine how existing structures—including the Austrian Platform against Loneliness, Health Target 5, senior citizens’ organisations, voluntary engagement and community-based initiatives—can work together more effectively.

The discussion will focus on existing strengths, remaining gaps and opportunities for stronger institutional coordination. The panel aims to identify the building blocks of a more coherent Austrian approach to loneliness and social connection and to explore how existing activities can be linked within a common strategic framework.

15:15

Loneliness and Human Rights of Older Persons

Panel 4

From National Strategies to International Action: European and Global Perspectives

A growing number of countries and international organisations have developed strategies, action plans and institutional mechanisms to address loneliness and strengthen social connection. This panel will compare experiences from different national and regional contexts and examine which policy instruments, governance structures and implementation models have proved effective.

Particular attention will be given to political leadership, cross-sectoral coordination, sustainable financing, local implementation, the involvement of civil society and mechanisms for measuring progress. The panel aims to identify transferable lessons and common success factors that can support governments seeking to establish or further develop national responses to loneliness and social isolation.

Panel 5

Loneliness, Social Isolation and Human Rights in Older Age

Loneliness and social isolation are not only health or social policy concerns. They may also reflect barriers to the effective enjoyment of human rights, including the rights to participation, equality and non-discrimination, autonomy, health, social protection, accessible services and inclusion in the community. This panel will examine the structural conditions that can place older persons at greater risk of exclusion, including ageism, poverty, limited mobility, digital exclusion, inadequate support services and changing family or community structures.

The panel aims to develop a clearer rights-based understanding of loneliness and social isolation. It will identify principles that should guide public policy and explore how social connection can be reflected in the ongoing international discussion on stronger human rights protection for older persons.

17:00

Closing of the day