Welcome to your future: Centenarians of switzerland
exhibition at the university of geneva
information
Dates : April 16 to May 30, 2026
Adress : Bd Carl Vogt 66, 1205 Genève, at the exhibition hall of the university of Geneva
Opening times : Mon-Fri 7:30 to 19:00, Sunday 14:00 to 17:00
Program
Registration for the vernissage (or for any question, please contact us at swiss100@unil.ch)
Opening reception 16.04.2026
An opening evening to discover the exhibition and begin a dialogue about longevity, the place of centenarians in our society, and the lessons of research in Switzerland.
Welcome remarks
Dr Thiago Hérick de Sá, Responsible of the Age-friendly Environments programme of the World Health Organisation (WHO)
Pablo Ferreiro, Delegate for Longevity Policy, City of Geneva
Carlo Santarelli, Director General of Pro Senectute Geneva
Presentations
Healthy ageing: lessons from centenarians and from a century of research
Prof. Karl-Heinz Krause
La Tulipe, Foundation for Medical Research, Geneva
Living a century: demography, society and celebration in the City of Geneva
Pablo Ferreiro
Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity, City of Geneva
Centenarians in Switzerland: the SWISS100 study and exhibition
Prof. Daniela Jopp
Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne
Exchange and discussion between experts and the public
Presentation evening 23.04.2026 – Biological aspects of longevity
Thursday 23 April 2026, 6:30 pm
Biological aspects of longevity
Evening dedicated to Prof. François Herrmann
A meeting devoted to the biological dimensions of exceptional longevity, the health status of centenarians and the mechanisms of ageing.
Presentations
Health among centenarians
Dr Justine Falciola
HUG
Plasma proteome analysis of centenarians in Switzerland highlights key proteins associated with youth
Dr Flavien Delhaes
UNIGE
A century of life, a brain in shape: myth or reality?
Prof. Dina Zekry
HUG, UNIGE
Exchange and discussion between experts and the public
Presentation evening 30.04.2026 – Predictors of cognitive ageing
Thursday 30 April 2026, 6:30 pm
Predictors of cognitive ageing
This evening explores the social, relational and psychological factors that influence cognitive functioning across the lifespan.
Presentations
Social isolation, feelings of loneliness and cognitive functioning in older adults
Dr Charikleia Lampraki
UNIGE / UNIL
Growing older together: the role of companion animals for cognition and well-being
Adriana Rostekova
UNIGE
Empowerment to grow older with awareness rather than looking in the rear-view mirror in denial of one’s own ageing
Dr Hans-Peter Graf
Foundation for the Education of Older Adults of Geneva
Exchange and discussion between experts and the public
Presentation evening 21.05.2026 – Care, support and ageing at home for older adults
Thursday 21 May 2026, 6:30 pm
Care, support and ageing at home for older adults
An evening devoted to the conditions that make ageing at home possible, support needs, and the resources mobilised around very old people.
Presentations
Care situations among centenarians
Prof. Daniela Jopp (UNIL) & Dr Barbara Masotti (SUPSI)
Ageing at home: mobilising resources
Dr Catherine Busnel
IMAD
Support at home: a service for family caregivers
Cornelia Knio
Pro Senectute Geneva
Exchange and discussion between experts and the public
Closing event 29.05.2026
Friday 29 May 2026, 7:30 pm
Healthy ageing: prevention and interventions
To close the exhibition, this evening highlights concrete ways to preserve physical, mental and cognitive health and to remain an active agent in one’s life while growing older.
Presentations
What helps strengthen mental and cognitive health with age?
Overview of the ADVANCE project
Dr Melanie Mack
UNIGE
From research to practice: workshops to care for your memory and remain an active agent in your life
Dr Emilie Joly-Burra
UNIGE
Ageing well: what can we learn from centenarians?
Prof. Daniela Jopp & Adar Hoffman
UNIL
Exchange and discussion between experts and the public
INFORMATION FOR SCHOOL GROUPS
Guided tours for students (Grades 5P to 10P)
The exhibition invites school classes to an immersive and interactive experience centered on the theme of old age. Through 28 photographic portraits, life stories, and the results of an extensive scientific study, students discover aging from a brand-new perspective, far removed from common clichés.
The visit creates a space for intergenerational dialogue, encouraging critical reflection on the passage of time. It is designed to stimulate empathy, curiosity, and the questioning of age-related stereotypes.
Interested in a guided tour for your class? Please fill out this form: Registration