Ashoka
How we bring generations together
Social entrepreneur, writer, and thought leader Marc Freedman founded Encore.org 20 years ago — a community of changemakers age 50+ who are charting a new, engaged path through middle and late life. (See Marc’s latest book on this topic — ranked #1 on the Wall Street Journal’s list of best books on aging well.) Marc is thinking a lot these days about how to bring the generations together — both in daily life and around solutions to pressing, multi-generational challenges like stemming the pandemic, strengthening a multi-racial democracy, and responding to the climate crisis. He shares more in this conversation with Jill Vialet, founder of Playworks and Substantial, who is also an Ashoka Fellow. Here are a few highlights.
Ashoka insight
Studies show that older adults who forge bonds with younger people are three times happier than those who don’t. New solutions in longevity are sprouting up from innovators of all ages. Many are focused on meeting the needs of older adults. But Marc is most encouraged by ideas that unlock what he calls the “joint power” of the generations.