The difference in opinions between generations can sometimes be a barrier for conversation, but the annual Intergenerational Dialogue Event organised by the Takapuna Community Trust helps to bridge this gap. Every financial year, youth representatives and not-so-youthful members of our community get together and are involved in a discussion about issues that are currently affecting our society. This year there were a range of people involved from all over the North Shore. 

At the event, six relevant issues were offered to the groups for open discussions. The ideas for 2017 were as follows: 

    1.    How can we meet the crisis for affordable accommodation?

    2.    Should it be compulsory for New Zealanders to vote?

    3.    Should Euthanasia be legalised in New Zealand?

    4.    New Zealand has the worst teen suicide rate in the OECD. What can we do to prevent
the current rates of suicide?

    5.    Should New Zealand follow Australia’s lead and get rid of one use plastic bags?

    6.    Should we consider a Universal Basic Income as a way to address future employment
insecurity?

Everybody had a chance to visit the different topics and vocalise their opinions on how each of the problems affected us, and why they were so prominent for the community. There was an opportunity for each participant to pick two issues on the day, and communicate ideas to a group of mixed generations who were also interested in the topic. 

Teen suicide, the housing crisis in Auckland, and whether voting should become compulsory were the topics that were the most popular, and allowed for further discussion from everybody. The aim was to come up with a solution for each problem that was specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time bound. All of the outcomes presented were great ideas, which came as a result of different generations discussing how to target the problems together in order to most efficiently benefit the wider community. 

The housing crisis was tackled by looking at the implications around public transport and the lack of it, as well as comparing Auckland to other, bigger cities such as those in Singapore and Japan. The group pointed out that other cities were able to accomplish successful living standards due to being built with high rise apartments. These cities also had effective transport such as buses, ferries, and trains, to link the outer regions of the city to the central areas in order for citizens to easily make it to work and back. 

The issue around whether voting should be made compulsory was collectively decided against because it opposes the idea of the democracy in New Zealand, where there is free choice. Instead, the groups focused on wanting to educate more people on politics, voting, and what the voting process involves at earlier ages by bringing this knowledge in through our education system. This would enlighten younger people on how politics work in New Zealand, and therefore when it comes to taking action and voting, the process wouldn’t be so scary and unfamiliar. Being able to freely vote and have a say in what happens within our country is a privilege and a positive experience that more of the youth should be aware of. 

Teen suicide was the most popular topic of the day, and everyone involved seemed to feel very passionately about the subject, wanting to eliminate the risk of it occurring in our society. Three groups discussed the issue and came up with ideas to try and reduce the problem. 

The most successful idea of the day was to develop compulsory classes for schools, which would be included in the New Zealand Curriculum. These classes would promote basic life skills in order to deal with struggles such as mental health, suicide, and other important topics. The courses would aim to reduce the risk of suicide and inform young people on how to deal with the stresses of adolescence, while also being compulsory for parents of the children to attend so that they too could learn how to help their children in these situations. 

Everyone agreed that the risk of suicide should be eliminated before it becomes something to be concerned about. By simply educating both the youth and their parents on essential adolescent behaviours, the community would benefit from being informed and prepared to target the problem before it escalates. 

The winning idea was praised by everyone who attended, and has gone to the Board to be reviewed and acknowledged so that the action can be taken in order to reduce such a largely worrying problem in New Zealand youth. 

For help with all adolescent issues, help is available 24/7 by free calling Youthline on 0800 376 633 or Lifeline on 0800 543 354. 

Special thanks to the Younite board, Takapuna Grammar school, Westlake Girls High School, Rosmini College, Takapuna Senior Citizens Association, Devonport Bowling club, volunteers from Citizens Advice Bureau, Takapuna North Community Trust Board, North Shore Centres of Mutual Aid, Haumaru Housing and some people from local churches who attended and helped organise the day held at the Mary Thomas Building in Takapuna.