Intergenerational learning has been happening ever since one generation passed on the skills they had created to the next generation, explains Greg Mannion, a senior lecturer in education at the University of Stirling, Scotland, and author of the article “Intergenerational Education and Learning: We Are in a New Place”.
According to Mannion, intergenerational learning has also always been reciprocal. The younger generations continue to provide a welcome challenge to existing traditions, changing the practices created by the previous generations.
However, lately, this area of learning has been attracting more attention, as the potential and benefits of intergenerational interaction have become clearer: contact and learning among the different generations has been shown to empower all participants, nourishing intergenerational solidarity, and promoting inclusion and equality. Intergenerational learning also seems to be helpful when addressing complex societal issues such as climate change.