Towards a new social contract between generations

The Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM) was first contacted by the Conseil des aînés du Québec to develop an intergenerational study on the ageing issues of Québec society.

After a year of consultations and preparation, the INM suggested the hosting of Intergenerational Meeting Places, a friendly citizen participation approach to recognize and understand the collective phenomenon of demographic ageing, to acknowledge its impacts and to renew the intergenerational social partnership.

The deliberative stage of the approach will take place over two years (2009 and 2010), and includes regional and national activities. Year one focuses on the acknowledgement and awareness of the phenomenon. Year two focuses on the elaboration of a social contract based on common issues and collective challenges of all generations. The approach will conclude with the publishing of the Declaration of Generations.

Goals

• Establish a constructive dialog between generations

• Create awareness and encourage a better understanding of the phenomenon of societal ageing

• Mobilize citizens and action takers of civil society

• Recognize and enhance ongoing practices and actions

• Redefine the terms of the social contract between generations

The INM’s proposal helps prepare for the arrival of new generations whom will have a different attitude towards ageing and seniors.

One of the key objectives is to ensure the evolution of mentalities in order to then be able to bring about changes in society and government policies.

We need to change the perception of ageing from being a problem to being perceived as an opportunity.

A participatory and informed citizen’s approach

The approach revolves around three main verbs: to inform, to debate and to propose. The INM will provide appropriate tools for the three following functions:

• A reference document for participants to have all the information required to be able to debate;

• An activities guide to ensure that participants from all the regions of Québec debate on the same issues;

• Communication tools to disseminate the proposals that came from the Meeting Places to the general public and decision makers.

A valued approach in the opinion of the public and decision makers

The public launch of the approach took place in addition to the École d’été of the INM, a yearly activity that gathers over 600 youth for four days of lectures, round tables, workshops and public speaking. The 2009 Edition took place from August 27 to 30, in Montréal. The launch included a press conference that was held on August 28 as well as an intergenerational breakfast on Saturday, August 29.

To promote the approach and its results, the INM has planned several press events, but also:

• Newspaper inserts

• A Web site

• Articles on the citizens portals: Parole citoyenne and Citizen Shift

• Broadcastings on Canal Savoir television channel

• Shows on Radio Ville Marie radio station

• Documentary and report contests

• A postcard campaign

• A brochure directed at the main decision makers of Québec society

• A lecture tour

• A book publication

The results of the approach, the Declaration of Generations , will be the subject of representations with political decision makers.