History was made on November 1, 2005, when retired faculty and students
met in the Illinois Senate chamber to discuss how younger and older
generations could work together for education. Students and retirees
agreed that it is important to have more interaction between older and
younger generations. Each participant made a commitment on how they
would make that happen on their campuses or in their communities.
Senate President Emil Jones Jr. convened the event that was sponsored by
the Intergenerational Initiative at SIU Carbondale and the Illinois
Board of Higher Education. In his keynote, Jones said, "Leadership
evolves. It isn't something that the retirees and students will take
home with them today, but they will have a fresh perspective and
commitment to foster connections between generations in Illinois."
"The world is aging and we must start considering the opportunities for
education," said Jane Angelis, director of the Intergenerational
Initiative. The baby boomers are reaching retirement age and for the
first time in history, there will be as many older people as there are
youth.
The Senate Forum gave delegates the opportunity to
voice their ideas in hearings and then on the floor of the Senate. Three
themes emerged as the blueprint for intergenerational leadership in
Illinois. 1. Getting the word out about the benefits of
intergenerational programs. 2. Connecting generations in new and
creative ways, such as retiree and students organizations taking on
service projects. 3. Building an infrastructure that provides easy
access to get involved in intergenerational programs.
Sponsors
The Senate Forum on Intergenerational Leadership was
sponsored by Sponsored by the President of the Illinois Senate, Illinois
Board of Higher Education, and the Intergenerational Initiative,
Southern Illinois University Carbondale in cooperation with the Illinois
State Board of Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the
Council of Community College Presidents, Illinois Department on Aging,
the State Universities Annuitants Association, and
Illinois State University, University of Illinois at
Chicago, Chicago State University, Western Illinois University,
University of Illinois at Springfield, Northeastern Illinois University,
Governors State University, Northern Illinois University, Eastern
Illinois University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
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