In a world of “what’s in it for me” and short-term interests, its uplifting to see another way, a way where an individual’s contribution is not directly linked to final outcome, at least in their life time!
Susanna Jani, colleague and author of the BC Distance Family Mediation Blog, thoughtfully, sent me the link to a video (when she commented on Grandmothers and Collaborative Learning), about Meghalaya’s “living bridges”. I agree with her, it is a fascinating example of collaboration and community, people working together, across the ages.
Meghalaya is a state in north-east India, and one of the wettest places on earth. Transport between the remote valleys can be tenuous, especially during monsoon season, when rivers go crazy.
The local response to impasse?…. create “sustainable living architecture”, that lives and grows over generations, using knowledge transferred from generation to generation… and, in the process, connecting people, and generations.
Here’s the short, wonderfully-crafted video: (video not displaying? click here)
Now, Meghalaya is no doubt very different from my/your urban place/society, where generations are as likely as not, to be disconnected in more ways than one.
Yet, encouraging and fostering the connection between generations, may be just what we need more of.
What’s your experience with inter-generational collaboration? How has your community connected across the generations?
[Leave a comment about this post. Subscribe to the feed to get regular updates.]
Fantastic! They look like something straight out of Lord of the Rings.
Agreed, Orin. And, I imagine they would appeal to you, a creative game designer. 🙂