Care is at a crossroads. The systems that have long supported us—whether through child care, elder care, or health care—are increasingly frayed around the globe, burdened by demographic changes, economic pressures, and outdated models of operation. But what if this “crisis” is not just a challenge but an opportunity to rethink care entirely?

This was the spirit behind the roundtable on reimagining care convened earlier this month by Capita and Demos Helsinki with participants from across the globe. Nicole Biondi, chair of Capita’s board, set the stage with an invitation to explore the “new logic of care,” a framework that Demos Helsinki has been developing to confront many of the inadequacies of our current systems. What followed was a weaving together of perspectives, experiences, and visions for what care might look like in the decades to come.

Care in different contexts

Abby Jitendra from the UK’s Joseph Rowntree Foundation reminded us of the deep interdependence of formal and informal care systems. She called for a paradigm shift: care as a public service. Gala Díaz Langou of the Argentinian think tank CIPPEC highlighted how demographic transitions and economic inequalities shape caregiving. Her message was clear: we cannot think about care in isolation from the broader economic systems that either support or undermine it.

Amar Nijhawan of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) brought us into the world of social innovation, where projects like WowMom in Kenya show what affordable, accessible child care can look like. Yet she also cautioned against one-size-fits-all solutions, emphasizing the importance of cultural context and social norms.

Care in the U.S.

Capita’s Elliot Haspel offered reflections from the U.S., where the tension between immediate needs and long-term transformation is acute. He spoke of solidarity as a critical ingredient in moving beyond the industrial care model—an idea echoed throughout the discussion.

A Call to Imagine Together

Care is not just an issue; it’s a mirror reflecting who we are and what we value. This roundtable focused on how to plant the seeds of a new care economy—one rooted in fairness, interconnectedness, and a deeper recognition of our shared humanity. As Nicole Biondi concluded, this is just the beginning of a conversation that could redefine what care means in a world that desperately needs a new logic.

And so, the question isn’t whether we can fix the current system. The question is whether we can imagine something better. We invite you to join us in that imagining.

Caroline Cassidy is Capita’s Chief Strategy Officer.