Family Futures

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] 17

dvancing

ocial

ntegration

and

ntergenerational

olidarity

WAY to promote solidarity among youth and other genera-

tions at a family and societal level.

One such event, the 21st International Youth Forum, was

held in collaboration with the National Council of Youth

Organizations of Korea. During this event, the role of youth

towards protecting family dignity and their role with regard

to the issue of an ageing population were discussed. In their

declaration, delegates came to a conclusion that they should

organize more recreational activities to promote family

bonding and strengthen family relationships. They also

declared that they recognize that issues related to an ageing

population cannot be solved by monetary means alone. They

came to an understanding that many more challenges lie in

sustaining the unity of society and preventing intergenera-

tional conflicts and age-based discrimination. The declaration

stated that programmes that promote knowledge and expe-

rience exchange would allow for greater interaction and

dialogue between youth and the elderly.

The youth forum saw young people agreeing that they should

facilitate collaboration between youth and the elderly towards

creating job opportunities that match the needs and the skills of an

ageing society. These jobs should focus less on financial and career

issues and instead aim at social inclusion. By doing so, the issue of

discrimination due to job opportunities will be minimized.

The way forward

There is increasing understanding of the significance of social

integration and intergenerational solidarity. It is deep-rooted in

interdependence among generations during the different lifecycles.

Collaborative efforts are being made by some countries to

protect and support intergenerational solidarity. The countries

in question are creating mechanisms that act to protect family

solidity amid changing demographics and economic instabili-

ties. Their objective is to strengthen intergenerational relations

within the family and larger community by investing in the

development and implementation of policies and programmes.

The countries that have already implemented these programmes

and policies are experiencing positive results.

Studies in Singapore and Europe have found that younger

people engaged in intergenerational programmes show more

interest in the older members of their own families. Polls in

Europe and the United States found that respondents believed

governments could and should do more to encourage inter-

generational interactions.

WAY, with the support of all the stakeholders and member

organizations, will continue to interchange ideas among the

youth of all countries and address the intergenerational rela-

tions issues that directly and indirectly affect them.

A long-term commitment to youth issues: a WAY Caribbean Regional Seminar

in 1966 and a workshop seminar on population and family life in 1974

Images: WAY

WAY brings together youth with older generations to address key youth-related issues

Image: WAY