Conference tries to join generations
"Joining the Generations," a symposium examining inter-generational issues kicks off this afternoon in the Rockefeller Center for the Social Sciences. Acting Director of the Rockefeller Center Roxanne Waldner said the symposium will "provide an opportunity to have people from a variety of generations discussing issues that are not usually discussed between generations. Kevin Walsh '98, who is part of a student group that helped organize the conference, said it was scheduled for Freshman Family Weekend to allow several generations to take part. He said after taking part in a series of lunches with the Kendall retirement community he realized that "there is a definite lack of understanding between generations." Walsh said one of the goals of the symposium is to look at "idealism across generations and how different groups ideals have held steady across generations." Walsh said he hopes the symposium will be a first step in "creating a dialogue." The symposium will consist of presentations by a variety of speakers, including Vermont Governor Howard Dean and Barbara Dixon, the president-elect of the American Association of Retired Person. One of the most prominent issues, Walsh said, is expected to be a discussion of the future of social security and of whether it will still be available in 40 years. The symposium will open with a keynote address by Fernando Torres-Gil, the Assistant Secretary of Aging tonight at 7 p.m.