A Model of Intergenerativity: How the Intergenerational School is Bringing the Generations Together to Foster Collective Wisdom and Community Health

Abstract

Our world is presently facing formidable challenges requiring intergenerational, interdisciplinary, and interprofessional solutions that encourage local learning and action. This article articulates the concept of “intergenerativity,” a theoretical and practical framework that can build the collective wisdom and inspire the informed local action that a world addled with complex challenges so desperately needs. Intergenerativity is defined and contextualized within the shared site programs of the Intergenerational School, a charter school in Cleveland, Ohio, that aims to foster creative exchange between the generations. The rationale and design of past, present, and future research initiatives is shared, demonstrating how multiage partnerships are already beginning to play a role in fostering learning around urgently important 21st century challenges such as climate change and population health. Ultimately, it is argued that, by virtue of their intergenerative nature, intergenerational partnerships can be a powerful means of nurturing social, civic, and environmental responsibility and helping current and future generations address social and ecological challenges.

Keywords:

• intergenerational
• intergenerativity
• Alzheimer's disease
• dementia
• multigenerational programming
• quality of life
• sustainability