An intergenerational conversation

Resource type: Video

As a part of Global Intergenerational Week, our Programme Officer Munny sat down for a chat with our Chair of Trustees Baroness Usha Prashar to talk about intergenerational conversations and how we can overcome intergenerational conflicts.

Conversation transcript

00:00 – 00:05

Munny Purba (MP)

So what intergenerational conversations should we be having?

00:05 – 00:37

Baroness Usha Prashar (UP)

I think it’s first of all very important to have intergenerational conversations, because I don’t like this dichotomy between old people and young people. Because I think you can generate really good ideas, by having intergenerational conversations, because younger people’s world view, it needs to be understood by people, you know, of older generations and, and the young people need to understand the experiences of what makes us tick.

00:37 – 01:07

And so I think it’s very important that you actually hold that kind of conversation and therefore you do not create a them and us world because the world is very divided in any event. So we don’t want any more divisions. But it’s important that you actually bring all different perspectives together. So you bring better understanding and out of that, probably better solutions to the sort of problems we’re dealing with in today’s world.

01:07 – 01:42

Amazing. And I think you’re right in saying that because I’m finding now I’m speaking to lots of people who’ve said they don’t have a chance anymore to speak to those of different generations, older and younger, because there’s not the spaces for that anymore, physical spaces even. So, I think the more we’re able to do it, the closer we come in terms of communities and understandings of each other, which I think is really important. So what do you feel, or how can we bring young people into that conversation?

01:42 – 02:10

It’s not just bringing young people in the conversation, it’s bringing everybody into that conversation, because I think young people possibly feel that the older people don’t understand their world, or they’re probably too occupied with the new technology contraptions to be able to have that conversation, but it’s to make sure that we actually use the new technology contraptions to bring people together.

02:10 – 02:37

And I’m always amazed how many grandmothers say to me they’ve actually learned to use iPads and iPhones so they can communicate with their grandchildren and their children. So I just think, here’s an opportunity and how we can make that exciting. So it’s not just about knowing how they are and so on, so forth, but finding areas of conversation where they can begin to interact much better

02:37 – 03:50

because I don’t like to hear, or they will say, well, I don’t understand young people because, you know, their world is so different. Well, it’s not all that different. And I think if you have a conversation, you realise that human emotions, you know, the sort of issues we go through that may be differing in scale or depth, but they are there. And it’s good for people to actually converse.

I think you’re so right in saying that because I think importantly, like you say, human emotion has always existed as it does today, and the important thing to do is find those connections and similarities rather than thinking about potentially the differences between generations. It’s how we can learn from each other and how our different life experiences can actually lead to a more constructive, positive, and I would say happy. And, you know, yeah, happier community where the wellbeing is at the heart of it.

Yeah there’s that. But I think the other thing which I slightly feel uncomfortable about when people are trying to create intergenerational conflict, is to say, oh, you were the generation, the 60s, you know, and you had it good and it was hard for us.

03:50 – 04:15

So what are you doing? Now, the point really is hardships in those in the 60s were different of the hardships now. But the important thing is hardships are there for every generation, it’s how we dealt with them, is there something we can learn from each other and appreciate and give to each other as well? So I just think it’s very easy to create divisions.

04:15 – 04:38

But our efforts should be to actually bring people together.

So again, it’s about that learning experience. If we’re able to talk, we’re able to share advice, share not just advice about how to handle situations, but the learning of the use of the technology as well and how that can be used constructively to build that connection. So yeah, I think, let’s hope it happens.

04:38 – 04:58

Let’s hope we see more of that happening because I think it’s essential.

Well, I think it needs to happen. And I think at Cumberland Lodge here, we can actually provide that opportunity because you know, although our focus is, you know, 18 to 30-year-olds, you know what I mean. But into that we can bring in, you know, people from different generations to be able to contribute to that.

04:58 – 05:21

So let’s not be too exclusive, but in a way, if we feel we can interject different perspective, like you bring people with different views, you need to bring the people from different generations to come together and talk to young people as well. So I think we as a vehicle can actually do that very effectively.

And, we’re working to do it and I hope to see it flourishing in that way.

05:21 – 05:37

Well, as I said, that’s my hope. And I’m looking to you. That is you and I talking about different generations having a really good conversation and agreeing.

We are, exactly. We can agree. We can agree. It’s possible.

Absolutely, absolutely.

Perfect. I think that was great.

Was it good?

Yes.