The Project

The Project „Vana ja Noor“ is a project which should bring generations together.
How often do you hear old people complaining about the "youth of today"? But on the other hand: Most teenagers would consider many old people as strange and unsympathic. A conflict between generations, which does not only exist in Estonia.

They are living in the same country, even in the same city, but still worlds seem to be inbetween them. Especially the experiences of the current teenage generation, which was born in the Post-Sowjet time and grew up in a western-orientated world differ from the ones which the gerenation made, that was born in war times and spent most of their live during the Sowjet Republic.

Two generations, which don't seem to have much in commun. Do they have to tell something to each other at all? And why is it so important, that these generations get closer?

During ten lessons we want to speak and discuss with teenagers between 14 and 16 years about the topic "becoming old". What does it mean to "become old"? Do I want to become old myself or do I fear it? Why are the "old people" so different from us? What occured in the world they grew up? How do they feel living in retirement homes? And above all, why could it be important that there are youngsters which are interested in their stories?
Our topics will also be about Altzheimer and physical disabilities, in order to prepare the students for two visits in the retirement home. During the first visit the students should get in touch with the inhabitants, for example by talking. The second time their task will be to organize together a little event  for the residents.

As this project is executed in a German school, all lessons will be given in German, so that besides the pedagogical effect we also aim to improve their language skills, for example by writing dialogues or designing posters.