Abstract
This paper explores the (im)possibilities of intergenerational solidarity within social and ecological justice movements in Southeast Europe, focusing on the intersections of ageing, gender, and political activism. While demographic changes in the region have sparked scholarly interest, less attention has been paid to how older generations navigate ongoing economic, social, political, and ecological crises. Positioning political activism as a life-course practice and a form of intergenerational engagement, this study challenges the dominant narrative that frames activism as the domain of youth. It highlights the critical role of women activists in shaping movements for social, political, and ecological justice in their later lives. Through ethnographic and archival research on social movements in Turkey and Austria, the paper examines how women’s life experiences and intersecting identities inform their activism and their ability to build solidarity across generations. Key questions include: How do activists (dis)engage with different generations in collective action? What are the tensions and opportunities in forming intergenerational alliances? How are expressions of solidarity shaped by political, cultural, and social factors in Southeast Europe? The study also examines how the material and emotional connections between generations influence movement strategies and how collective narratives can either strengthen or hinder solidarity. By expanding the geographical and socio-historical scope of scholarship on ageing and activism, this paper sheds light on the opportunities and challenges of fostering intergenerational solidarity within movements for justice, offering a critical perspective on the realignments between generational and political divisions in an ageing society.
Presenters
Derya ÖzkayaPostdoctoral Researcher, Centre for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz, Austria
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Aging, Intergenerational Solidarity and the Polycrisis
KEYWORDS
Ageing, Activism, Solidarity, Alliance, Justice
