Resources on intergenerational practice
Intergenerational practice is not just nice to have, it’s essential!
What’s Global Intergenerational Week?
Global Intergenerational Week is an annual, civil society-led campaign that aims to highlight the importance and benefits of intergenerational practice.
Intergenerational practice brings people of different ages or generations together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities that promote greater understanding and respect.
Evidence shows that intergenerational practice can reduce ageism, which is widespread and harmful for our health and well-being.
This year’s Global Intergenerational Week might be over, but intergenerational practice is here to stay. Use the resources on this webpage, and learn more about the community of organisations around the world working to champion the importance of intergenerational practice.
Together, let’s celebrate the power of connecting people of all ages to help spark new relationships, strengthen communities, and build on the positive resources people of all ages have to offer each other!
A message from the WHO Director-General on intergenerational practice
Key messages on intergenerational practice
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Globally, one in two people are ageist against older people. In Europe, the only region for which we have this type of data, younger people report more perceived ageism than other age groups.
Ageism has serious impacts on our physical and mental health, and overall well-being. For example, ageism is associated with earlier death, poorer physical and mental health, social isolation and loneliness and poor quality of life.
➔ Learn more about ageism in the UN Global report on ageism.
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According to the UN Global report on ageism, intergenerational practice is one of three strategies that has been proven to work to combat ageism, alongside policy and law, and educational interventions.
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These activities can take many forms, from educational interventions to cultural activities like music, sharing food, and arts and crafts.
Intergenerational practice can be implemented across a range of levels from learning about what the lives of people in other age groups are like, to shaping communities at the planning or policy level. This allows adaptation to diverse resource and local contexts.
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These benefits include better physical health, better mental health, enhanced social connections, development of new skills, and heightened well-being.
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The 11 principles of effective intergenerational practice are: participatory; inclusive; universal; friendship; do no harm; equity; human rights; cross-/inter-disciplinary; mutual, reciprocal benefit; asset-based; and evidence-based.
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Connecting Generations builds on existing evidence and resources on intergenerational practice and has been developed in collaboration with stakeholders and experts from around the world.
The guide aims to be as practical as possible and covers all the stages of planning, implementing, and evaluating intergenerational activities. The guide also provides an annex of 40 sample activities.
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In a world that can seem more divided than ever, the need for solidarity – including across generations – has never been more urgent.
Intergenerational practice can bring benefits to any field and setting. This Global Intergenerational Week – and on every other week – spread the word on intergenerational practice, join the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism, and help create #AWorld4AllAges.
Practical guides and tools
Connecting Generations
A practical, step-by-step ‘how-to’ guide from the Global Campaign on planning and implementing intergenerational activities.
Quick guide to avoid ageism
in communication
How do we avoid ageism as we communicate about age and ageing and intergenerational practice? Use our quick guide.
Global Campaign toolkit
All of the tools and resources that have been released so far by the Global Campaign to help you take action on ageism, in one place.
Spread the word on social media
Key accounts:
World Health Organization – @WHO
UN Decade of Healthy Ageing – @UNDecadeAgeing
Generations Working Together – @GenerationsWT
Key hashtags:
#AWorld4AllAges
#GIW25
Key links:
Global Intergenerational Week on the Generations Working Together website – including information on more opportunities and the global community of organisations behind this campaign
Infographic: Ageism is everywhere and harmful, but it can be combatted
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Ageism is everywhere & harmful – but it can be combatted.
Good news: according to the UN Global Report on Ageism, intergenerational interventions works to reduce ageism!
Join the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism and help create #AWorld4AllAges 💪
Animation: What’s intergenerational practice?
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In a world that seems more divided than ever, building solidarity between people of all ages has never been more needed. #AWorld4AllAges #GIW
What's intergenerational practice & how can it help? Find out from the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism:
Tile: What are the benefits of intergenerational practice?
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Intergenerational practice can reduce ageism and bring wide benefits for well-being – if planned and implemented well. #AWorld4AllAges #GIW
Learn how with the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism's practical resources:
Tile: An intergenerational activity for everyone
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Intergenerational activities don't have to be complicated to be effective.
In fact, you can adapt activities you already do to be more age-inclusive & promote mutual understanding. #AWorld4AllAges
Need a few ideas? ⬇️
Get more examples here: https://bit.ly/GIW-GCCA
Vertical tile: 11 principles for effective intergenerational practice
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Wondering how to do intergenerational practice effectively? #GIW24 #AWorld4AllAges
Here are 11 practical principles you can implement, from the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism:
♾️ For more tools and guides, visit: https://bit.ly/GIW-GCCA
Vertical tile: Top tips for planning intergenerational activities
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Everyone can plan and implement activities that bring people all ages and generations together. #AWorld4AllAges #GIW24
Here are 6 top tips from the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism’s guide on Connecting Generations 👇
♾️ More resources: https://bit.ly/GIW-GCCA