We are pleased to share highlights from our recent participation at the Transforming Care Conference 2025 in Helsinki—a vibrant event that brought together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to reflect on the future of care.
Our team presented a paper titled “Addressing Inequalities in Care: Developing Diversity-Sensitive Training for Professionals Supporting Older Adults with a Migration Background and Their Family / Informal Carers.” The presentation focused on the development and testing of our training programme, aimed at equipping care professionals with the tools and sensitivity needed to address the complex and diverse realities of older adults with a migration background and their family / informal carers.
A broad approach to diversity in care
We received encouraging and insightful feedback on both the content of our presentation and our broad approach to diversity. Conference participants valued the way our programme not only focuses on cultural diversity, but also addresses systemic inequalities and intersectionality.
Our approach acknowledges that diversity goes beyond ethnicity or migration background—it includes factors like language, religion, socio-economic status, family structures, and experiences of marginalisation. This broader perspective resonated with the attendees and sparked meaningful discussions on how care systems can become more inclusive.
Inspiration through exchange
Beyond our own session, we attended several inspiring presentations and engaged in rich conversations with fellow participants on key topics such as co-creation, stakeholder involvement, and structural inequalities in care. These exchanges reinforced our belief that sustainable change in care practices requires the collaboration of all stakeholders—from care users to front-line professionals to policy makers.
We were particularly inspired by presentations that explored participatory design processes, grassroots innovation in care, and frameworks for understanding participation and inequalities in care. These discussions will certainly help us further refine and strengthen our own research and education.
A special visit to JADE Helsinki and the City hall
One of the highlights of our stay in Helsinki was the opportunity to meet with local project partners from JADE. We (Belgian team) visited JADE during a group activity held in the park near the Oodi Library in central Helsinki. This visit offered us a valuable on-the-ground perspective on how community-based care and social support are implemented in the Finnish context. We witnessed firsthand how JADE fosters connection, inclusion, and well-being through their activities.
The City of Helsinki invited all congress participants for a reception in the beautiful City hall. This gesture made us feel genuinely welcome as international guests and added a warm, personal touch to the conference experience. The building was decorated in celebration of Pride Month, creating an inclusive atmosphere that reflected the city’s commitment to promoting diversity and equality—values that resonate with the mission of our project.
Our time in Helsinki was both inspiring and energizing. The conference reaffirmed the relevance of our work and gave us new insights to take home. We are grateful for the opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen international connections, and reflect together on how care systems can become more just, inclusive, and diversity-sensitive.