[ThinkSouth] Communicating Across Generations

[John Quinterno]

In a panel discussion held yesterday at UNC-Chapel Hill, the Center for a Better South's John Simpkins outlined the generational challenges confronting Southern progressivism.

Simpkins delivered his remarks as part of the UNC School of Government's annual "Conference on Public Administration," a gathering of public-sector leaders from across North Carolina. This year's conference focused on the theme of "Functioning in a Multi-Generational Work Environment."

According to Simpkins, Southern progressivism only will succeed in bettering the region if it connects with citizens of all ages. Making that connection, however, requires progressives to address three barriers:

1. Tradition often separates older progressives who believe in a more orderly, elite-driven approach to change from younger progressives who support community-led change.
2. Generational shifts mean that issues important to older progressives are not seen by younger progressives as particularly relevant and vice versa.
3. Diversity poses new challenges to the region. For example, Southern progressivism traditionally has focused on relationships between blacks and whites, but rapid immigration has created an entirely new racial and ethnic dynamic.

Simpkins was joined on the podium by Bob Garner, communications director of AARP North Carolina, and Shannon Vickery, executive producer of content at WUNC-TV. Together, the three panelists sketched the generational changes remaking the South and offered thoughts about how public-sector organizations can better engage citizens of all ages in the work of democratic governance.

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Posted by John Quinterno to ThinkSouth at 11/04/2005 10:25:00 AM