In the framework of SIforAGE Project, a series of activities are being carried out in order to bridge the gap that often exists between young and old generations. One of these activities entitled “Intervention with children” consists in changing the image of ageing and thus improving inter-generational relations.  Various experimental projects in different European countries are being implemented for this purpose. In September 2014 one of these interventions with children was carried out by Dirk Jarré (President of EURAG, The European Federation of Older Persons, one of the SIforAGE partners) in a Modern Secondary School in Hausmannstätten, a small town situated about 15 km from the city of Graz. Participants in this inter-generational activity were children from the Secondary School aged between 13 and 14 years old and older persons living in the city of Graz and its immediate environment.

In a first phase children were tested on their perception of older persons and possible stereotypes or prejudices. Then they were provided with image presentation and information about activities and capacities of older persons, the roles of which they could slip in themselves, and it was measured how their understanding of ageing changed. Finally children and older persons worked together in mixed groups “young and old” to prepare to two public campaigns under the topic “Improving the living quality in our community“ – half of them on “an age-friendly environment“ and the other half on “caring for the natural environment”. The results from these joint activities – posters for the campaigns - were presented in the atrium of the school and broadly discussed. Afterwards, the posters were exhibited for some time in order to give the opportunity to the rest of pupils and staff to see which issues have been addressed and learn from the work performed. Young and old participants expressed having enormously enjoyed the activity and learned a lot from and about each other.

This kind of inter-generational activities that pursues to promote in young people new attitudes towards older persons, and vice-versa, proves to be a successful means for bridging the gap between generations and prevent ageism among young people.

Check SIforAGE Facebook Page for having a look and comment the pictures from this event!