20 Years of Longevity Activism
Making a little personal celebration: 20 years of involvement in longevity or life extension activism. 10 years ago, by January 2012, I completed my PhD thesis on the “History of Life-extensionism” and co-organized our first demonstration for life extension (on January 20, 2012) and since then became fully involved in longevity or life extension activism. And 10 years before that, around January 2002, after completing the MA, I started to work as a science writer in biotechnology and co-created our first multi-lingual site on life extension, and so became partly involved in longevity (life extension) activism. In these 20 years, one could see the massive shift of public attitude in favor of the possibility and desirability of healthy life extension, hopefully at least in some small measure also thanks to our activism. But still there is a lot of work to be done to bring this possibility and awareness closer to real implementation, to the actual achievement of aging amelioration and healthy life extension (and not a lot of time to do it…). Below are some highlights, summaries, references and pictures from those years.
Ilia Stambler
January 20, 2022
1. February-March, 2002. Co-creation of the first multi-lingual site on life extension “Elysian Enterprise”
https://web.archive.org/web/20030722093218/http://www.elysianenterprise.com/
2. January 27, 2006. Organizing the first live ImmInst/WTA meeting on life extension in Israel in Bar Ilan University
https://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/9057-1st-isr-imminstwta-mtng-jan27-1030-biu/
3. September 12, 2006. Co-signing the first Longevity Dividend petition.
https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/75679/annals.1396.050.pdf?sequence=1
http://www.longevityforall.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Longevity_Dividend_Signatories.pdf
4. 2006-2010. Organizing a series of seminars on life extension/transhumanism in Bar Ilan University (November 6, 2010, the 10th seminar since 2006)
http://www.singulariut.com/2010/11/260
https://www.singulariut.com/2020/10/3571
https://www.haaretz.co.il/science/1.1196720
https://archive.ieet.org/articles/pellissier20100820.html
5. October 16-27, 2011. First broad public and academic conferences on life-extension and transhumanism in Israel, in Tel-Aviv Cinematheque, Hemda Science Teaching Center in Tel Aviv and Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem
http://www.singulariut.com/2011/10/325
https://archive.ieet.org/articles/stambler20111101.html
https://www.facebook.com/Utopiafest.org.il/photos/t.672869158/10150390819607668/?type=3
6. January 20, 2012 Demonstration for life extension, Tel Aviv
http://www.singulariut.com/2012/01/510
https://web.archive.org/web/20121023145203/http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/stambler20120126
7. February 27, 2012. Advocacy in Knesset for establishing the “Israel National Advisory Committee for the Struggle against the Disease of Aging”
http://www.singulariut.com/2012/07/601
https://web.archive.org/web/20120720024947/http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/stambler201207171
8. July 17, 2012. Publication at Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (IEET) of the article “Political Struggle against the Disease of Aging” describing the first efforts of high level longevity advocacy in Knesset
http://www.singulariut.com/2012/07/601
https://web.archive.org/web/20120720024947/http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/stambler201207171
9. July – August, 2012. Co-creation of the International Longevity Party
https://web.archive.org/web/20120901111034/http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/6354
https://web.archive.org/web/20121023133820/http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/6377
https://archive.ieet.org/articles/stambler20120823.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20181009064319/https://ieet.org/index.php/IEET2/bio/stambler/
10. June 28, 2012. PhD Graduation. Department of Science, Technology and Society, Bar Ilan University. Thesis subject: “A History of life-extensionism in the twentieth century”
http://www.longevityhistory.com/
https://www.ishps.org.il/blank-9
https://www.sts-biu.org/alumni
11. August 29, 2014. Publication of the book: “A History of Life-extensionism in the twentieth century”
http://www.longevityhistory.com/
https://www.amazon.com/History-Life-Extensionism-Twentieth-Century/dp/1500818577
12. December 14, 2012. Gathering of the International Longevity Alliance activists at the Eurosymposium on Healthy Ageing, in Brussels, Belgium
https://hplusmagazine.com/2012/12/19/the-brussels-summit-of-longevity-activists/
13. July 2012-2013. Developing International Longevity Alliance (ILA)
https://www.longevityforall.org/groups/
https://web.archive.org/web/20140112094026/http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/stambler20140110
https://longevityalliance.org/about/history
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Longevity_Alliance
14. March 10-13, 2013. The 8thEuropean Congress of Biogerontology, Beer Sheva, and events and media promotions of longevity in Tel Aviv
http://www.mako.co.il/news-channel2/Weekend-Newscast/Article-5552ae448947d31004.htm
https://www.israel21c.org/israelis-excel-in-finding-keys-to-long-life/
15. September 3-7, 2013. Sixth SENS Conference (SENS6). Reimagine Aging. Queens’ College – Cambridge UK
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/rej.2013.16.sens6abs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoBkf8rEGOo
16. October 1, throughout October, 2013-2021. Longevity Day and Longevity Month Campaign to raise awareness and support for healthy longevity research
https://www.facebook.com/LongevityDay
http://www.longevityhistory.com/longevity-day-and-longevity-month/
https://hpluspedia.org/wiki/Longevity_Day_and_Month
17. March 26, 2014. Pathways to Healthy Longevity. Israel Science Day. Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel, additional events and media promotions of longevity research in the framework of Israel National Science Day.
https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4503579,00.html
https://www.israel21c.org/rd-for-the-elderly/
18. January – February 2016. Co-organizing the Global Healthspan Policy Institute (GHPI), Washington
https://healthspanpolicy.org/person/ilia-stambler/
https://healthspanpolicy.org/public-policy-implications/
19. September 21-22, 2016. 3rd International Forum on Practical Applications for Aging Research at the Basel Life Science Week. Basel, Switzerland
http://www.basel-life-science-week.eu/2016/basel-life-science-week.html
20. May 23-25, 2017. Mixiii BioMed 2017 Conference, Tel Aviv, with a focus on aging and longevity R&D
https://www.iati.co.il/conference.php?ID=35
https://kenes-exhibitions.com/old/biomed2017/
https://www.israel21c.org/longevity-and-aging-focus-of-israeli-intl-biomed-confab/
21. August 7, 2017. Publication of the book “Longevity Promotion: Multidisciplinary Perspectives”
http://www.longevityhistory.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Longevity-Promotion-Multidisciplinary-Ilia-Stambler/dp/1974324265/
22. 2013-2017. The main sites for longevity promotion (created and co-created)
www.longevityisrael.org
www.longevityhistory.com
www.longevityforall.org
www.longevityalliance.org
www.healthspanpolicy.org
www.isoad.org
23. October 15, 2017. Conference “Pathways to Healthy Longevity” Bar Ilan University (organized)
https://www.longevityisrael.org/conference/
https://www.facebook.com/VETEK.ISRLA/posts/1593609234034686
24. November 7, 2017. Launch of the Knesset Lobby “For Advancing the Preparedness of the Country for the Population Aging” and the Knesset Committee “For Creating the National Masterplan on Ageing” (at the same time)
https://oknesset.org/committees/2042.html
25. November-December 2017. Successful campaign for the inclusion of Aging into the WHO Work Program for 2019-2023
http://www.longevityforall.org/aging-is-now-included-into-the-who-work-program-thanks/
http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2017.1120
26. May 29, 2018. Launch of the Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange on Ageing – BIRAX Ageing.
https://www.britishcouncil.org.il/en/birax/projects/ageing
https://www.britishcouncil.org.il/sites/default/files/birax_ageing_call_for_proposals.pdf
https://www.britishcouncil.org.il/en/birax/call-for-proposals
27. May 8, 2018. Joining of forces for longevity activism in Israel, via the Vetek (Seniority) Association – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafi_Eitan
https://www.maariv.co.il/news/politics/Article-564969
https://www.longevityisrael.org/scientific-board/
https://www.longevityisrael.org/news/
http://www.longevityisrael.org/press/
28. July 9, 2018. Organizing a special session in Knesset at the Science and Technology Committee on “Enhancing Research, Development and Education for the Promotion of Healthy Longevity and Prevention of Aging-related Diseases”
29. July 25, 2019. Thanks to the initiative of the Vetek (Seniority) Association – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life, the topic of “Research, Development and Education for Healthy Longevity and Prevention of Aging-related Diseases” is included in the summary report of the Knesset Committee for Creating the National Masterplan on Aging, as a strategic area for further discussion.
https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/committees/labor/Pages/CommitteeReports.aspx
https://oknesset.org/meetings/2/0/2072962.html
https://oknesset.org/meetings/2/0/2076804.html
30. July 12, 2018. Summary meeting of the Israeli Longevity Alliance (ISRLA) board
https://www.longevityisrael.org/
https://www.longevityisrael.org/news/
31. May 21, 2019. Raising awareness about healthy longevity research, development and education in cooperation with the “Disabled, Not Half a Person” association
https://www.lohetzi.co.il/%D7%90%D7%95%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95/
32. 2012-2020. Promoting longevity activism online
http://www.longevityhistory.com/outreach-materials-for-longevity-promotion/
https://www.longevityforall.org/faq-of-the-ethics-of-lifespan-and-healthspan-extension/
https://hpluspedia.org/wiki/Ilia_Stambler
33. March 12, 2019. Publication of the analytical report “Longevity Industry in Israel”
https://www.aginganalytics.com/longevity-in-israel
https://mindmaps.longevity.international/longevity-leaders-israel
34. March – July, 2019. Initiative to include R&D on aging into US-Israel cooperation. The bill passed the US House of Representatives, but did not go further.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1837/text
http://www.longevityisrael.org/us-israel-collaboration-on-aging-related-rd-is-planned/
https://www.longevityisrael.org/the-subject-of-aging-is-removed-from-the-us-israel-assistance-bill/
35. September 4-5, 2019. Co-organizing the conference International Perspectives in Geroscience, at Weizmann Institute of Science, with NIH sponsorship
http://www.weizmann.ac.il/conferences/IPG2019/international-perspectives-geroscience-israel
https://nathanshockcenters.org/international-perspectives-on-geroscience-meetings
36. 2014-2022. Outreach coordinator and executive committee member of the International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD), including: Publication of the position paper “The Critical Need to Promote Research of Aging and Aging-related Diseases to Improve Health and Longevity of the Elderly Population” of the International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD). Since its publication in December 2014, until January 2022, this position paper had over 200 academic citations, appeared in 12 languages, was submitted to several governments. More position papers by the ISOAD were published, and in 2021 ISOAD obtained the special consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
http://www.longevityforall.org/the-critical-need-to-promote-research-of-aging-around-the-world/
http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2014.1210
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?oi=bibs&hl=en&cites=1393722017588130205,11094363600232984061
https://esango.un.org/civilsociety/consultativeStatusSummary.do?profileCode=649295
http://isoad.org/Data/List/Officers
http://isoad.org/Data/List/Chapters
http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2017.1120
http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2019.1230
37. 2012-2022. Research on the evaluation of aging health, utilizing information-theoretical measures. The Quantified Longevity Guide project
https://www.longevityisrael.org/quantified-longevity-guide/
https://ec.europa.eu/eip/ageing/commitments-tracker/a3/
quantified-longevity-guide-qlg_en
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301008215300599?via%3Dihub
https://expertscape.com/au/information+theory/Stambler%2C+Ilia
https://expertscape.com/au/aging/Stambler%2C+I
38. 2020-2021. Promoting the amelioration of aging as a critical means to fight the epidemiological (e.g. COVID-19) crises
http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2020.0629
http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2020.0228
http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2020.0603
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2020-showed-need-promote-aging-ameliorating-therapies-ilia-stambler/
https://www.longevityforall.org/metchnikoff-day-may-15-online-conference-may-16/
39. 2012-2022. Promoting the recognition of aging as a treatable medical condition
http://www.singulariut.com/2012/07/601
https://web.archive.org/web/20120720024947/http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/stambler201207171
http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2017.0130
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-319-69892-2_399-1
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2021.764874/full
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhl/article/PIIS2666-7568(21)00305-6/fulltext
40. 2021-2022. Continued promotion of healthy longevity research, development, education and application
http://www.longevityhistory.com/about-the-author/
Updates 2022, 2023, 2024,…. (as of January 20, 2025)
Continuing to keep this anniversary, 3 more years of longevity activism have passed, more work was done.
https://www.longevityforall.org/23-years-of-longevity-activism/
2022
In 2022, the activity mostly focused on writing academic and popular papers, and educational promotions on line at conferences and lectures.
https://www.longevityisrael.org/longevity-education-in-2022/
2023
The activities in 2023 mostly focused on developing the Vetek (Seniority) Association – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life in Israel, its conference (Longevity Nation, on March 26-27, 2023), online platform, collaborations, administration, policy outreach, public demonstration and campaigns, media coverage, scientific and popular scientific publications.
https://www.longevityisrael.org/vetek-association-yearly-report-2023/
2024
The activities in 2024 mostly focused on developing International Longevity Alliance (ILA), in particular encouraging the Longevity Month campaign in October and increasing the ILA membership and exposure.
https://www.longevityforall.org/ila-yearly-report-2024/
and developing the Vetek (Seniority) Association – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life in Israel, especially organizing the Longevity Nation conference in Bar-Ilan University on October 28-31 (end of the Longevity Month)
https://www.longevityisrael.org/
In relation to activism (generally strengthening the involvement in the longevity field), also research and educational work was done (publications and conferences).
https://www.longevityhistory.com/about-the-author/
Hopefully, it will be possible to make or encourage additional contributions to our common goal of healthy longevity for all.
Hoping for a continuation of productive activism for the promotion of healthy longevity.
https://www.longevityforall.org/20-years-of-longevity-activism/
https://www.longevityforall.org/23-years-of-longevity-activism/
https://www.longevityhistory.com/about-the-author/
