Welcome to Embolden
Embolden is a National Festival (Congress, Symposium, Art based events) combating ageism and building respect for older people. Our goal is to build the capacity and confidence of service providers, policy makers, community leaders and older people to accelerate the pace of change. The annual Festival brings key stakeholders together to learn from each other and produce resources that accelerate the pace of change. For information on past events, see the Embolden Festival webpage here.
The Embolden 2026 Festival
The Embolden Congress and Symposium are free and hosted online to enable wide participation. The exhibitions and art-based activities will be hosted in locations around Australia. Registration through Humantix is free, or you are invited to pay a registration fee if you can afford it (suggested amount $20-$50). Please note, you need to register separately for Congress (link) and the Symposium (link).
Theme:
The #Embolden2025 Festival explores ageism across generations, cultures and the intersections of power and privilege. We propose the 'one size fits all' approach to combating ageism has limited efficacy - because ageism is experienced differently across generations, genders, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, ability, geography and financial status.
We need to understand the places where ageism and other forms of marginalisation meet; and we need to recognise differences and build awareness of commonalities. To achieve this we will explore how:
We need to understand the places where ageism and other forms of marginalisation meet; and we need to recognise differences and build awareness of commonalities. To achieve this we will explore how:
- gerontism differs from youthism
- ageism differs across generations of older people
- ageism is experienced by marginalised groups of older people
- to balance a focus on differences and commonalities
Congress online (1st October, 1-4pm)
The Congress of Older People’s Voices from the Margins creates opportunities to hear from older people from marginalised groups, to build better understandings of ageism, marginalisation and strategies for change. After several plenary presentations, Dilnaz Billimoria will help to lead a conversation on reaching marginalised groups. Presenters include:
- Aunty Becky Thomson OAM, revered Quandamooka Elder (link)
- Ageing in a very remote community: Roz Blacket, Winton Resident in conversation with Sally Fraser, Specialist Advisor Western Queensland Primary Health Network (link)
- Ageing with autism: Sandra Thom-Jones, Autistic Professor (link)
- Living with Dementia: Dennis Frost, Richard Taylor Award Reipient 2025 (link)
- Ageing in an African community: Fatmata Fofanah
- Shifting from 'hard to reach' to 'hardly reached': Dilnaz Billimoria, Multicultural Honour Roll Inductee (link)
Symposium online (2nd October, 1-4pm)
The Symposium explores ageism across the generations and the intersections of power and privilege. We propose a 'one size fits all' approach to ageism has limited efficacy - because ageism is experienced differently across generations, genders, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, ability, geography and financial status.
The symposium begins by exploring how ageism differs across the lifespan. We then present a framework for understanding the characteristics of the ageism experienced by older people - including the context, determinants, levels of influence, dimensions and impacts. We suggest these characteristics need to be considered in strategies for prevention. A draft framework will be presented to delegates for discussion.
The symposium begins by exploring how ageism differs across the lifespan. We then present a framework for understanding the characteristics of the ageism experienced by older people - including the context, determinants, levels of influence, dimensions and impacts. We suggest these characteristics need to be considered in strategies for prevention. A draft framework will be presented to delegates for discussion.
Past Festivals
Please go to the Embolden webpage (here) to read about the previous festivals or click the links below for:
Evaluation
Embolden was launched in 2018 (here) with an event at the St Kilda Town Hall - repeated the following year (here). We returned in 2023, after a Covid enforced break, with an event in rural Victoria. Since then we have moved online to ensure our events are as accessible - with a shift from 450 people at live events to over 900 online.
Our events attract a mix of delegates, mostly service providers (60%), community leaders and older people. Evaluation of the event has consistently shown scores of 6+ out of 7 for usefulness, relevance, new learning and practical application.
Our events attract a mix of delegates, mostly service providers (60%), community leaders and older people. Evaluation of the event has consistently shown scores of 6+ out of 7 for usefulness, relevance, new learning and practical application.
Previous partners
We are grateful to all the organisations and services who supported our past events, including Elder Rights Australia, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Older Person's Advocacy Network (OPAN), Australian Association of Gerontology, ADA Australia, The Older Women's Network NSW, QueerSpace Drummond St, Council on the Ageing, City of Port Phillip's Older Persons Consultative Committee, the National LGBTI Health Alliance's Silver Rainbow LGBTI Inclusive Ageing and Aged Care, the Victorian Government through their Multicultural Festivals and Events Program, Elder Abuse Action Australia, Communities of Respect, The City of Port Phillip, Alfred Health and Caulfield Health; The City of Ballarat; The Care Page; The National LGBTI Health Alliance; Hammond Care Dementia Centre; Seniors Rights Service; Switchboard Victoria; The Ageing Revolution; Aged Care Matters; Better Place Australia; Meaningful Ageing; Bayside City Council; Glen Eira City Council; Knox City Council; and COTA Victoria.
Contact us
Please contact curator Dr Catherine Barrett on 0429 582 237 or email: [email protected]
Embolden Partners
Embolden2025 is an initiative of Celebrate Ageing Ltd. We are delighted to announce our first partners, ADA Australia, Elder Rights Australia, Compass and Older Women's Network of NSW.
