Intergenerational WIL framework featured in CEIA magazine
By: Matthew King (he/him)
The publication highlights CEE’s four key principles when designing or facilitating intergenerational experiences.
The Co-operative Education & Internship Association’s (CEIA) Experience Magazine published an article titled Meeting the multi-generational moment: How generations can work together to elevate work-integrated learning. The author of the article, Jamieson Cox (he/him), is the manager of strategic initiatives in the Centre for WIL.
The publication outlines how the benefits of quality WIL are aligned with the characteristics of intergenerational work. In both cases learners are encouraged to explore their purpose and complete meaningful work to solve problems. Cox also outlines how post-secondary institutions are well-positioned to break through the silos that often separate people by age.
CEE partnered with CoGenerate last year to create a framework for harnessing the power of intergenerational collaboration, with an emphasis on generating social good. CoGenerate is an American advocacy group that encourages businesses, organizations and municipalities to create programming where generations can generate value and learn from one another.
Four key principles for intergenerational experiences
The framework contains principles practitioners should keep in mind when designing or facilitating intergenerational experiences:
1) Meaningful connection
How do you create investment and vulnerability required for learners to establish relationships within and across generations?
2) Unite around common purpose
How do you reinforce that older and younger people are working toward a shared goal? How do you motivate them to overcome any challenges?
3) Strive to equalize power
What can you do to dismantle systemic inequity and ensure participants of all ages feel comfortable sharing?
4) Embracing the perspectives of past, present and future
How can you help participants perceive themselves, others and the world around them on a scale beyond their lived experience?
When learners of any age work with people from different generations, they come away with a new perspective on their purpose and a deeper connection to their community. I think practitioners can use our framework to add a layer of intergenerational collaboration to their WIL opportunities and create better outcomes for younger and older learners alike.
CEE piloted two programs leveraging this framework last year and is actively exploring opportunities to enrich programming for students, staff and alumni through intergenerational collaboration.