Connecting Generations: Planning and Implementing Interventions for Intergenerational Contact

Ageism exists when “age” is used to categorize individuals and create social divisions, with ensuing injustice and harm and lack of solidarity across generations. Ageism is highly detrimental to our health and well-being and imposes a heavy cost on societies. The World Health Organization (WHO) was requested to develop, in cooperation with partners, a global campaign to combat ageism.

This guide, developed for the campaign, builds on the evidence in the Global report on ageism that interventions for intergenerational contact is one of three strategies that have been proven to work in addressing ageism, together with policy and law and educational interventions.

The guide provides step-by-step guidance for anyone who is using or wishes to use intergenerational practice to combat ageism and to promote understanding and mutual respect among generations.