This publication brings together key speeches and papers presented at the The Future of Ageing: ILC Global Alliance Symposium 2013, including the Dr Robert Butler Memorial Lecture. Reflecting the diversity of ageing experiences across regions, the publication explores a wide range of social, economic, and policy issues shaping later life. Across these contributions, a unifying theme emerges: the need for a social approach to ageing that recognises and harnesses the social capital of older people. Topics include empowerment, lifelong learning, intergenerational engagement, age-friendly environments, and sustainable care frameworks encompassing income security, healthcare, and long-term care. Collectively, the papers call for transdisciplinary, collaborative, and innovative solutions to address the complex challenges of ageing in inclusive and empowering ways.