Understanding diverse images of ageing is a precondition for activation and empowerment; anti-ageism remains a central issue. Among other things, civil society engagement is needed to create supportive milieus (“caring communities”), especially given an increasing number of dementia-related diseases, in order to create equal opportunities for all members of society.
The ISAC department researches and promotes social exchange between the generations in their living environment. It deals with images of age, ageing as a social process, the exchange with other generations in the living and working environment, the commitment to alternative ways of life in the city and in the countryside, as well as with the mix of professional and civil society support services, especially from the perspective of the social sciences. The promotion of intergenerational competence and the shaping of communities usually succeed with appropriate social science support that focuses on people and understands and strengthens them as subjects of change. In line with participatory social research, methods such as open citizens’ forums, focus groups, open space events, etc. are offered.
Appropriate age images are a condition for activation, anti-ageism remains a topic. Civil society engagement is needed to create supportive milieus (“caring communities”), especially given an increasing number of dementia-related diseases. For this reason, forms of the “citizen-professional-mix” (Dörner) and their suitability for the future of well-being for all ages are being considered.
THEMATIC FOCUS ON CIVIL SOCIETY
It is known from research that older people can and want to become increasingly involved. Moreover, participation by and for all ages is recognised as a sign and basis of social stability. Shaping new forms of social interaction in the living environment is no longer the preserve of younger people, but is increasingly the task of intergenerational settings. As a rule, the promotion of intergenerational competence and the shaping of communities succeeds with appropriate social science support, which understands and strengthens the “affected” as subjects of change. ISAC therefore accompanies efforts which promote sustainable approaches related to civil society involvement and which aim to create supportive milieus in the form of “caring communities”. In line with the participatory action approach, methods such as open citizens’ forums, focus groups and open space events are used.
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