Last month, we had the pleasure of spending a few days at Kopanong, the Atlantic Fellows residence in Oxford, alongside Fellows from the seven programs, staff members, colleagues from the Global Brain Health Institute, alumni of Walking the Talk for Dementia, and members of partner communities. It was an enlightening experience that has enriched our collective work in many different ways.
The primary goal of the gathering was to foster networking among leaders, develop collaborations, strengthen each other’s work, and explore sustainability strategies to support Walking the Talk for Dementia — an immersive conference for those living with, caring for, working with, or researching dementia.
The group represented 10 countries and diverse fields of expertise, ranging from biomarker research in Alzheimer’s to dementia advocacy in underrepresented communities. A key moment of the event was the screening of an early cut of the documentary "Five Minutes to Midnight," which follows the journeys of three people: two living with dementia in Ireland and the U.S., and my grandmother, who lived with dementia in Brazil for six years before passing away in December 2013. These three narratives intertwine during the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage as part of the Walking the Talk for Dementia project — an experience that would profoundly change each of their lives in unique ways. The screening took place at a local cinema.
As a team, we deeply appreciate the support of the Atlantic Institute, which was instrumental in making this gathering possible.
"Five Minutes to Midnight" is produced by Jaburá, a São Paulo-based company, directed by Camila Appel, with cinematography and editing by Max Schulte and João Barbosa.
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