Grandmother Collective

We gathered people from around the world for an in-depth conversation on the transformative potential of grandmother leadership. Our global symposium brought together experts, activists, and community leaders to discuss the powerful impact older women have as agents of change worldwide.

This symposium also facilitated an in-depth exploration of what it would take to develop grandmother leadership as an interdisciplinary field of study in academic, practitioner, foundation, and policy arenas. Discover the pathways to elevate and recognize older women as key drivers of sustainable social change.

We are excited to share the results.

Below, you'll find event objectives, details, insights and videos that showcase our learnings.

22nd and 23rd May 2024

11am to 2:30 pm Eastern US (GMT-5) each day

OVERVIEW

In response to the pressing social challenges of our time that include epidemics of health, loneliness and community disconnection, existential environmental crises, and continued inequality and abuse of human rights, the Grandmother Collective invites you to how older women and grandmothers play a leadership role in social change and rebuilding resilience in our families, communities, and societies. As seasoned agents of wisdom and compassion, older women possess unique insights and experiences that can drive transformative action on a global scale. Yet despite their capacity to offer solutions for world problems, older women are often overlooked and constitute an untapped and unrealized resource for change.

Establishing a new field of study focused on grandmother leadership is paramount for several reasons. Firstly, it acknowledges and validates the invaluable contributions of older women, ensuring that their wisdom and expertise is not only recognized but also studied and utilized for the betterment of society. Secondly, it fills a crucial gap in academia and practice by providing a dedicated space for interdisciplinary exploration of grandmother leadership, fostering collaboration among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and philanthropists.

Furthermore, this new field of study offers the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the unique role older women play in addressing complex social issues, offering insights that may not be apparent through traditional approaches alone. By delving into the lived experiences, challenges, and successes of older women as agents of change, we can uncover strategies and best practices that have the potential to significantly impact individual, family, community, and societal levels.

For these reasons, our symposium will ask critical questions such as:

Where are older women making contributions today and how are their unique gifts crucial for humanity?
How can older women best create change on individual, family, community and societal levels?
In an increasingly automated, algorithmic, AI-driven world, are older women the antithesis and the antidote?
What can self-realized older women do in different domains and collectively to build a better world?
What can we understand about gender equality and inclusion when we incorporate the lens and lived realities of older women and grandmothers in all their diversity?
And finally, how can we support a new field of study through research, practice, funding and policy?

WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE SYMPOSIUM?

Showcase and Amplify Diverse Voices: Engage in sessions that showcase diverse perspectives and the powerful impact of grandmothers globally.
Interactive Interdisciplinary Dialogues: Participate in facilitated discussions and breakout sessions to foster connection exploring new avenues for collaboration and insight.
Evidence of Grandmother Power: Explore ways to demonstrate the transformative influence older women have in their communities.
Unique Lived Experience: Understand qualitatively why the lived experience of older women is distinct and invaluable.
Elevating the Work: Join brainstorming sessions to elevate the significance of older women's contributions from 'nice to have' to essential for humanity.
Combatting Ageism: This work is another way to actively address and challenge ageism, advocating for the rights and recognition of older women.

OBJECTIVES

Introduce Grandmother Leadership: Explore the concept of grandmother leadership as a potent force for positive social change.
Facilitate Cross-Disciplinary Dialogue: Foster interactive discussions among participants from diverse backgrounds to envision the role of grandmother leadership in various sectors.
Highlight Impactful Initiatives: Showcase real-world examples of grandmother-led initiatives making a tangible difference in communities worldwide.
Inspire Action: Engage participants to recognize the potential of older women’s leadership and consider how they can support and amplify it within their spheres of influence.