Migration and Age: Intergenerational Learning in Social Work

The ageing process, which is linked to declining abilities, deteriorating health and the loss of close relationships, often leads to loneliness and social isolation. This is particularly true for older migrants, as migration has already affected their social ties and migration is often accompanied by social inclusion barriers (Ciobanu et al., 2017). Loneliness has a negative impact on well-being and older migrants are more susceptible to it than their non-migrant peers (Fokkema and Naderi, 2013; Ten Kate et al., 2020).

Migration often changes ties to family, friends and communities and contributes to isolation in the context of social inclusion and access barriers (Wu, 2015). This places a particular responsibility on service providers, especially in the health and social care sectors. Germany's ageing and increasingly diverse population underlines the growing need for intergenerational initiatives that bridge generational gaps (Steinbach, 2019). Successful initiatives of this form strengthen social ties, knowledge, civic engagement, health and sense of community, promote independence in old age, support the reduction of anxiety and are associated with increased commitment to future generations (e.g. Krzeczkowska et al., 2021; Ronzi,2018).

Intergenerational programmes can be discussed in the context of a neoliberal critique under the accusation of reinforcing social differences and commercializing social interactions, raising concerns about social relationships, genuine community and the scope of formal services (Isaksen & Näre, 2022; Schwitter et al., 2018). Despite these potential criticisms, these programs promise to adequately address the challenges of social isolation and service deficits while fostering intergenerational relationships and improving well-being. Social workers, who are crucial for the social integration of older migrants (Kricheldorff, 2018), emphasize intergenerational exchange and intergenerational learning. Initiatives such as the German government's "Mehrgenerationenhäuser" program reflect the growing importance of such strategies (Hoofe, 2009). Successful international intergenerational programs facilitate interaction between younger and older generations, promoting two-way learning, skills and social inclusion (Lee and Kim, 2019).

This project explores the perspectives of social workers working with older and younger age groups and focuses on their understanding and strategies for intergenerational exchange and learning. The aim is to systematize and expand knowledge in this still relatively unexplored field in order to gain insights into the use and perceptions of the effectiveness of intergenerational approaches in social work.