Fostering Intergenerational Unity
October 1 is International Day of the Older Person. This year’s theme is “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons (UNIDOP).”
The objectives of UNIDOP 2023 include:
- Improving the protection of the human rights of older persons around the world.
- Sharing ideas for human rights that include people of all generations.
- Encouraging work that strengthens solidarity among generations and intergenerational partnerships.
By the year 2050, there will be twice as many people aged 65 and older all around the world. This means that it’s important for all of us to make a society where we appreciate and help older people do well. One way to do this is by bringing different generations together.
In today’s fast-changing world, generations often feel like they are growing apart. So, it’s really important to connect different age groups within our families and communities. This is called “intergenerational solidarity,” and it’s like building bridges between generations. It’s not always the same, and it can change over time, but it’s super important.
The core of intergenerational solidarity is about saving the wisdom, experiences, and traditions that older people have. They have learned so much from living for many years. They have stories about facing tough times and they know a lot about history and culture. By connecting young and old, we make sure that this wisdom keeps shaping who we are.
Also, this connection between generations makes both older and younger people feel better emotionally and mentally. It helps older folks avoid feeling lonely and sad. At the same time, young people learn important things from older ones, like being kind, caring, and patient.
Fostering intergenerational solidarity is not just a nice thing to do. It’s like building a strong foundation for families and communities. It helps us keep our traditions, pass on knowledge, and create societies that can bounce back from tough times. When we connect people of different ages, we make the world a kinder, more understanding, and happier place. In these connections, we find the power to face life’s challenges and the wisdom to enjoy its good moments.
