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When CoGenerate and Citizen University launched a project to deepen cogenerational ties, our goal was to get teens excited about working alongside older adults to create change. 

What we discovered surprised us. Teens didn’t need convincing to work across generations. They already know that to create the change they want to see, they need to partner with adults (like teachers, school administration, city councils, etc.) It’s a prerequisite. 

What they actually need are more opportunities to partner with older generations and, frankly, better partnerships. Partnerships that require adults and organizations to show up differently. 

This video captures pairs of older and younger people talking about what it takes to cogenerate, including asking meaningful questions, meeting as equals to build relationships and trust, encouraging all to participate equally, and truly sharing power. 

It’s a compelling introduction to cogeneration – and a great way to start a conversation wherever younger people and older ones are (or could be) working together, including schools, religious or spiritual gatherings, city councils, community organizations, campaigns and workplaces.

Once you’ve watched the film together, here are a dozen discussion questions to get the conversation started.

1. What does it feel like to be your age in the world right now? What’s good about it? What’s hard about it?
2. Eunice says (1:23): “My deeply ingrained, habitual way of being [with youngers] is to start to give advice. It’s almost never the right starting point. How might we start to focus on building relationship first?” Have you ever found yourself giving a younger person advice before knowing them? Or have you experienced meeting someone who immediately started to give you advice? Did you find that conducive to connecting? Or a barrier?
3. Eric provides (1:44) some specific ways older people support his growth – through asking questions and inviting him to be involved in their projects. Verneé says (2:25) younger people are teaching her how to be bold. In your work, how are youngers and olders benefiting from working together?
4. What unique skills and perspectives do younger people bring to your work? 
5. What unique skills and perspectives do older people bring to your work?
6. How might you invite someone from a different generation to be involved in your work?
7. How might you prepare younger people and older ones to see each other as equals?
8. How can you design a space where younger people and older ones come together as equals?
9. How can you recognize the voices not being heard, invite them in, and amplify their message?
10. Have you shared your network with a person from a different generation?
11. In your community, what opportunities are there for younger and older generations to connect and work on projects together? How might you create more?
12. How can you create a sense of belonging for different generations?

For more insight, check out What Younger Leaders Want – And Don’t Want From Older Allies.

Video produced with support from New Pluralists.