Diversity, intersectionality and anti-ageism: active methodologies in the training of social workers in Spain

Abstract

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Gerontological Social Work is committed to a heterogeneous, diverse, inclusive and fair understanding and approach to old age, which may potentially reduce the stigma and discrimination that affect certain social groups. This means that professional training needs to critically question the social dynamics that interact to produce and reproduce inequalities among older adults. In this context, this article reports on the ‘Active Learning Methodologies to Combat Ageism: Application of Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences (PEACE) in the Social Work Degree’ teaching innovation project at the Complutense University, Madrid (Spain), which examines physical and cognitive diversity, diversity of territorial and residential environments, sex and gender diversity, and ethnic and cultural diversity. This programme was implemented to train social workers to be aware of discrimination issues related to age and other elements of intersectionality (functionality, territory, gender and ethnicity) that generate more oppression and inequality in old age, so that they are able to develop specific strategies and tools to reduce ageism and promote a diverse view of older people.