Intergenerational dialogue and social activation of older people in rural environments

Intergenerational relations are the basis for the functioning of every society. The way to build them is dialogue between generations, which is also a way to counteract and prevent contemporary social problems, but it requires the active participation of both the elderly and the young. The article is an attempt to capture the essence of intergenerational dialogue and emphasize its role in the rural environment; it combines theoretical considerations with a description of practical solutions (an example of the "Seniors in Action" program). An important area is intergenerationality, implemented both at the level of project management (intergenerational pairs of animators) and at the level of activities aimed at the local community (in which different age groups participate). The rural environment also allows for building intergenerational bonds thanks to neighborly relations, where contacts between many generations are part of everyday life, as well as in so-called interest groups (e.g. within non-governmental organizations or village community centers), the aim of which is to solve the problems of local communities. Effective dialogue is an exchange of values ​​that brings benefits to the entire local community.