Kawartha World Issues Centre (KWIC) is energized about a new project designed to bridge the generation gap between Peterborough youth and seniors and help the planet at the same time.
A charitable organization that connects global issues to local initiatives, KWIC is participating in “Climate Kinship: Bridging Generations in Climate Action Mentorship,” a collaborative project with For Our Grandchildren (4RG), a non-profit organization that encourages action against climate change on the local level.
KWIC and 4RG are inviting youth and seniors to unite in an approach aimed at “cultivating intergenerational solidarity in collective action to address climate change in our local community,” according to KWIC.
KWIC program and outreach coordinator Sarah Forrest shared with kawarthaNOW the organization’s hopes for the initiative, which will welcome its first group of seniors and youth for collaboration from September through December. A second group will gather for action between January and March 2025.
“Our aim is twofold — connection and climate action,” Forrest said in an interview. “Over the course of this program, we aspire for the 10 senior and youth pairs to form meaningful and lasting friendships that extend beyond their participation in the project.”
“As they attend monthly workshops on topics including Indigenous perspectives on climate, introduction to the sustainable development goals, food security, climate solutions, and eco-emotions — among others — as well as connect one-to-one, the participants will gain valuable climate knowledge and actionable climate skills, enabling them to contribute in meaningful ways to their community or communities.”
Forrest said 4RG board president Guy Hanchet tells the story best about how the spark was ignited to bring together youth and seniors for climate change action.
“Thirteen years ago the first seeds of an intergenerational climate project began when Julie Cosgrove, KWIC’s executive director at the time, attended a 4RG meeting,” Forrest said, relaying the story. “Since then, KWIC and 4RG have had the pleasure to work together on many individual events and initiatives including 2023’s Friday for Future Climate Rally.”
“This continued collaboration has sparked our joint desire to see positive climate actions in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) and connect seniors and youth for a sustainable future. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s New Horizons Seniors Grant, we were delighted to announce that this long-standing vision of uniting seniors and youth in climate action had become a reality.”
“We are thrilled about this project and anticipate its successful reception, enabling its growth and continuity not just for the foreseeable future but potentially expanding the senior and youth climate action mentorship experience beyond Peterborough,” Forrest said.
For now, KWIC is inviting seniors aged 55 and older and youth between the ages of 15 and 30 to consider getting involved. The commitment involves attending two in-person meetings a month between September and December for the fall session or between January and March 2025 for the winter session.
Registration for both the fall and winter cohorts is now open at kwic.info/climate-kinship. The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, August 9.
“For us, the best outcome would be for genuine bonds to be established between the pairs that also advance support and action for local climate justice or leadership in new climate change efforts,” Forrest said.
“Both KWIC and 4RG have heard from our networks and community for years about the need for intergenerational climate collaborations, so bringing this to fruition and learning together is opening a world of possibilities.”
“Additionally, the 2024-2025 program is a pilot year for us — we are looking forward to the many lessons that we are facilitators and project co-ordinators will learn and how we can hopefully apply it to future years of the program.”
Forrest also wanted to share that the project is currently supported “by an amazing steering committee with diverse perspectives and experiences that are helping to guide the project.”
In addition to Forrest, the steering committee includes Curve Lake First Nation Elder Dorothy Taylor (Sacred Water Circle), Sharon Beaucage-Johnson, Rachel Gilham (TRACKS), Cam Douglas (Youth Leadership in Sustainability), Patricia Wilson (Diverse Nature Collective), and Glen Caradus, along with 4RG’s Hanchet and outgoing KWIC executive director Sam Rockbrune.
For more information about Climate Kinship, visit kwic.info/climate-kinship or email Sarah Forrest at sarah@kwic.info.
