People of all ages engaging in conversation together at the Intergenerational Speaker Series second event. (Remy Voogt, CMUR.ca)
Ageism is a theme surrounding society, and an issue that is not getting any better. As our world continues to technologically evolve, younger generations may find themselves having no patience for the older generations. Or, vise versa: the older generations hold the newfound information regarding technology against younger generations.
Mount Royal University (MRU) faculty member Jocelyn Rempel—associate professor with the faculty of nursing and midwifery—has a passion to promote better care for older people, as well as creating more understandable relationships between generations.
For the past two years, Rempel has been exploring different ideas on how to create a more inclusive environment for some of the older people in our lives. The idea she landed on: The Intergenerational Speaker Series (IGSS).
The plan of action
The IGSS is an anonymously funded program with the initiative to break ageist stereotypes. The series puts on five events throughout the academic year, each with a different featured speaker, informative videos to watch, and intergenerational seating so that different age groups are able to converse with each other.
The IGSS website elaborates on their events: “the speaker series aims to provide the opportunity for people across generations to form relationships, learn from one another and share their life experiences.”
The main goal is the same for each event: making Mount Royal University a more inclusive and age-friendly campus.
In order to effectively approach the topic of ageism, the IGSS works a ‘pillar’ into each event. The pillar becomes the basis of the conversation. Below is a list of the few foundational pillars the program has intent to form their conversation around:
- Connecting with our Roots: How Family Stories Shape Lives
- Disconnecting to Connect: Finding Balance in a Digital World
- Intergenerational Perspectives
- Events and People
- Innovation and Age Tech
- Breaking Down Stereotypes
The second IGSS event took place on November 22nd, 2023, and I was able to attend the event to learn more about the series.
The problem with stereotypes
Technology has shifted the way we think, communicate, and go about our daily lives. A study conducted by The Pew Research Center relays findings on youth and media, noticing that younger generations are becoming more reliant on technology. Sometimes, ‘information’ on older generations can be misconstrued, causing a disruption in connection between ages.
However, these stereotypes just aren’t true. It has been proven difficult to show how technologically diverse each generation can be. The IGSS wants to break the stereotypes surrounding each generation and their misled views on technology.
The series doesn’t stop here, though. Rempel and others associated with the IGSS have plans to take it to the next level. The series is currently in the works of expanding past MRU and generalizing into The Centre for Health and Innovation in Aging (CHIA).
Taking a closer look
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rempel to talk about the main findings, strategies, and goals of the program, some of the effects the IGSS has already had, and more plans for CHIA.
<div style=”padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;”><iframe src=”https://player.vimeo.com/video/892134161?badge=0&autopause=0&quality_selector=1&player_id=0&app_id=58479″ frameborder=”0″ allow=”autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture” style=”position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;” title=”Jocelyn Rempel: Founder of the Intergenerational Speaker Series”></iframe></div><script src=”https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js”></script>
“It’s a centre that’s really going to be focussing on innovation and technology,” says Remple. “Some of those social impact programs like the Intergenerational Speaker Series and I would love to extend the Speaker Series to even a mentorship program.”
Personal reflection
After attending the first IGSS event, I was very inspired by what I was seeing. Over 100 people from all different ages showed up, eager to learn about the effects of ageism, technology, and the combination. While doing coverage on the event, I was able to listen to the featured speakers and get involved with some of the discussions. Additionally, I was able to see firsthand how beneficial a program dedicated to disintegrating ageism is. Those attending the events are able to converse with one another, sharing their worldviews, experiences, and thoughts in an open-minded setting. I enjoyed getting to overhear all of the chatting between the generations, alongside the guest speaker. Overall, it was an insightful experience getting to see the event Remple founded flourish, bringing generations of people together to discuss and gain different perspectives. Furthermore, seeing the IGSS start its expansion into CHIA was an inspiring highlight. There are so many ways to effectively make change, and it is evident how beneficial the anti-ageism events are for that. I thoroughly enjoyed my time connecting and collaborating with the IGSS team, as well as attendees of the events. I feel greatly inspired and am thankful for the time I was able to spend with all of these amazing people.
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