In this edition, entitled "Long-term care: team and talent coNMpassion", professionals and stakeholders from various countries around the world will meet to address and anticipate the needs and challenges of the care workforce, in order to improve professional teams and to shape affordable, accessible and quality care services.

We are witnessing a transformation of talent, with new training challenges emerging as a result of the changes that society is undergoing (technological, social, political, cultural, environmental, etc.).

What do new professionals look like and what do they want in order to develop their career in the care sector?

One of the key lessons to be learned from the pandemic is that care professions need to be better recognised and valued for their important contribution to the well-being of millions of citizens in need of care and support. Better recognition also means that investment in social care is not seen as a mere cost, but as an investment in the future.

Social services face significant challenges in terms of funding, staffing levels, recruitment and retention, gender balance and an ageing workforce. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of the pre-existing difficulties.