“generational intelligence and sustainable futures” simon biggs [email protected]...
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“Generational intelligence and sustainable
futures”
Simon [email protected]
Simon Biggs University of MelbourneBrotherhood of St Laurence
Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence
Generational Intelligence
Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence
Introducing Generational Intelligence
A Definition of GI
• An ability to reflect and act, drawing on an understanding of one’s own and other’s life-course, family and social history, within a contemporary social climate.
Biggs & Lowenstein 2011
Why is this important?
• Workplaces are intergenerational• Care environments are intergenerational• Urban & Rural Spaces are intergenerational• Policy decisions are intergenerational• Helps map generational environments
Sustainable Solutions: will need to rely on increased levels of generational insight, empathy and ‘intelligence’.
S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London
Philosophical Dimensions of GI
• The degree to which one becomes conscious of self as part of a generation
• Relative ability to put yourself in the position of other generations
• Relative ability to act with awareness of one’s generational circumstances
A Generational Phenomenology
• Lifecourse: in midlife• Family: a sandwich • Cohort: baby boomer• Changing from looking back to looking
forward, with competing family demands, identifying with younger rather than older generations, and an emphasis on self-actualisation.
S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London
S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London
Steps Toward Generational Intelligence
Step One: Recognize generational distinctiveness
Step Two: Understand the relationship between generational positions
Step Three: Take a value stance toward generational positions
Step Four: Act in a manner that is generationally aware
Pragmatic Dimensions of GI
• Recognising Generation as an Issue
• Negotiating Intergenerational Consensus
• Acting on Mutually Productive Solutions
S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London
Mapping Generational Environments
• Map the generational constituencies• Facilitate spaces for intergenerational
communication and decision-making• Clarify generational priorities• Analyse functions and problems through an
intergenerational lens• Build sustainable solutions
S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London
Toward Sustainable Solutions
S Biggs Institute of Gerontology King's College London
Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence
Median age of selected countries and world, 1950 to 2050
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Australia China Germany India
Japan United Kingdom United States World
There’s no going back
S Biggs University of Melbourne & Brotherhood of St Laurence
Intergenerational Sustainability
• Solutions that endure over time• Contain the ambivalence of intergenerational
relations• Recognise age-diversity between age groups• Recognise age-diversity within age-groups• Require negotiated settlements
S Biggs University of Melbourne & Brotherhood of St Laurence
Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence
Cultural Innovation
• New roles adapted to a new demography• Greater attention to generational
interconnection• New ways of releasing specific potentials of a
long life• ‘By’ and ‘For’ Innovation
Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence
Releasing Generational Capital
Social Capital
Generational Intelligence
Intergenerational Sustainability
Cultural Innovation
Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence
Where to from here?
• Training: re-discover generational intelligence
• Roles: create complementary relationships
• Spaces: GI friendly environments
• Policies: co-created solutions
Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence
Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence
Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence
Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence
Simon Biggs University of Melbourne Brotherhood of St Laurence