It was a pleasant surprise on the 61h of April 2000 when I received the invitation from Mr. Lucas, Leitstelle Aelterwerden (Kreis Offenbach) to participate in the Generationsdialogue from 06.08. to 12.08.00 at the European Youth Congress in Hannover in connection with the EXPO 2000. Personally, I was very happy as it seemed to be a token of recognition of my voluntary social service engagement ( since my retirement on O 1.01. 96) in Langen ( Kreis Offenbach), where I am living for the last 10 years. I accepted the invitation, which was a joint project organised by the Christlischen Initiative, Zentrum fuer Internationales Lemen and the Leitstelle Aelterwerden Kreis Offenbach. I attended two preparato1y meetings on 31.05.00 and 12.07.00 at the Youth Office of Kreis Offenbach, where I met some of the other pa1iicipants and the organisers and discussed all matters in connection with our trip to Hannover. During this period some of us who had the facility could participate in the Internet University Debate, thereby exchanging opinions and views with international participants from other countries.
On the 6th of August Mrs. Gessner, Mrs. Skok, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Maurer and me boarded the train at Frankfurt Main station on our way to Hannover. On arrival we were met by Mrs. Maria Reichert who had made the necessary arrangements for our accommodation, transportation, etc. My accommodation was with a very nice retired couple and I felt very much at home in their cosy pension. The venue of the Youth Congress was at the Medizinische Hochschule where we had lunch/dinner at the IGS Mensa. The first day was spent meeting the participants from other countries and getting acquainted with each other. We also took part in a theatre play of the Bremen Town Musicians - I played the role of the POOR OLD DONKEY. In many aspects this play reflects real Life. As a routine the day started with a little bit of warming-up exercises followed by discussions, study groups, workshops and projects. In our group we had young people from Ukraine, Yugoslavia and Poland. It was very interesting to meet them, listen to their views, problems in their culture and countries and their opinion of the older generation. They were patient enough to listen to my opinion and points put forward for discussion.
Many interesting debates and lectures by a few internationally renowned citizens were on the agenda. Due to the tight schedule I was able to participate only in three of the following lectures which were of interest to me:
All the three lectures were very interesting and of high educational value, specially ecological sustainability. This meeting gave me the opportunity to realise how important it is to have a harmonious combination of open-rninded dynamic youth with their modern educational and technical knowledge along with the great experience and wisdom of the older generation. lt is essential to have a constant interaction between the senior citizens and the youth in all fields of life and this will go a long way in mutual understanding and tolerance. I am also very happy that in connection with this programrne I had the opportunity to visit the Expo 2000.
With the intention to improve for future occasions , a few constructive criticisms which I hope will not be rnisunderstood :
Many participants would have been more at ease to express themselves cornfortably if translators were available as originally planned. There was room for improvement in proper communication between the organisers and the various participating groups , punctuality in keeping to the day' s schedule etc. Last but not least I personally wish to thank Mr. Hans Lucas, Mrs. Martina Gessner, Mrs. Katrin Skok and Mrs. Maria Reichert for the excellent and pleasant manner in which they overcame all handicaps and hurdles and conducted the whole programrne for our group with great success. I have returned home with pleasant memories and much more understanding and tolerance for the youth and for the various cultures of the world today. I am extremely grateful to Kreis Offenbach for having given me this opportunity to participate in this unique programrne.
Shivadas S. Pattanath
