On March 3, 2025, Restless Development Nepal participated in a virtual learning exchange on intergenerational approaches to climate action. Sangita Maharjan, Programme Manager at Restless Development Nepal, represented the organization in discussions alongside experts and practitioners from various countries. The exchange highlighted key insights from intergenerational climate dialogues held in Nepal and Uganda, where young and older people shared their experiences of climate change, coping strategies, and ideas for future action. These dialogues, conducted separately for each age group before bringing them together, helped bridge knowledge gaps, strengthen collaboration, and ensure that diverse perspectives shape climate solutions.
One of the key takeaways from the exchange was the importance of structured dialogues in bridging the generational gap. Participants emphasized that while climate change affects both young and older generations, their perspectives often differ. Providing a space for them to learn from each other builds mutual understanding and leads to co-created solutions. The discussions also highlighted the power of storytelling, where older generations shared their traditional knowledge and past experiences of environmental change, while young people brought innovative ideas and advocacy skills to the conversation.
A key challenge discussed was ensuring equal participation. Older generations sometimes dominate conversations, while young people may hesitate to share their thoughts. To address this, structured facilitation methods, such as conducting separate discussions before bringing both groups together, were found to be effective. Another critical insight was the need to move from dialogue to action. Participants stressed that intergenerational discussions should lead to tangible outcomes, including policy advocacy, community initiatives, and sustained engagement between generations.
This exchange reinforced the value of intergenerational approaches in tackling environmental challenges and ensuring that climate solutions reflect diverse experiences and knowledge. Restless Development Nepal remains committed to amplifying youth voices in climate action and strengthening collaboration across generations.
