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​“Boomers and seniors are often being referred to as a problem we must address.” says Saint Thomas gerontology professor Bill Randall, “We know that about  95% of New Brunswickers 60 and over are living active, productive, independent lives. They are contributing in countless positive ways to their families and communities, driving the economy and influencing younger generations with their knowledge and wisdom, insight and experience. A Day for the Ages is the beginning of a movement that we hope will highlight these valuable contributions.”

Greater Fredericton Social Innovation, Saint Thomas University and the Atlantic Institute on Aging came together to organize an open space forum to focus on the "Third Act" of life as a time of growth, giving back and the social wealth. Viewed from a positive perspective, boomers and seniors are a deep pool of knowledge, experience and wisdom in our community.

This exciting one-day event - A Day For The Ages - brought together people of all ages - from their 20s to their 90s – to focus on the positive impact of an aging population. The attendees came up with concrete, practical ways in which we can change the conversation about "aging" from a public deficit to what it truly is ... a public strength.  

The format of the day was an Open Space forum, a process where a large and diverse number of participants work together in a large scale consensus decision-making event. It is an inclusive and collaborative process that responds to the changing needs in our community by bringing together different groups and networks into coordinated community action to change the conversation on aging. Some of the inspiring side effects that are regularly noted are laughter, hard work which feels like play, surprising results and fascinating new insights.