To mark Global Intergenerational Week 2023, Linking Generations NI (LGNI) has teamed up with The Commissioner for Older People (COPNI) and The Commissioner for Children and Young People to launch a photography competition.

Fermanagh native Elaine Brownlee has recently taken up the post of Regional Development Worker with LGNI and will be managing the competition.

Global Intergenerational Week, that will run from April 24 to April 30, is a weeklong annual campaign that celebrates and showcases connections between generations.

The week aims to inspire individuals and organisations to fully embrace intergenerational practice, bringing age groups together to form intergenerational friendships.

Now celebrating its fourth year, Global Intergenerational Week is bigger than ever, with 15 participating countries around the globe.

To celebrate, LGNI – which coordinates the campaign for Northern Ireland – is partnering with COPNI and NICCY, that promotes the rights of children and young people, to welcome people of all ages to enter their 2023 photo competition, with photos that capture this year’s theme, ‘Connecting Generations’.

The judges are seeking images that showcase intergenerational moments within friendships, families, work, school or community lives, with the winning local entry being awarded a hamper worth £50, from retail supporter, Asda Enniskillen.

Speaking about the launch of the competition, Vicki Titterington, the Director of LGNI, said: “Global Intergenerational Week offers an important platform to showcase and celebrate the importance of intergenerational connections and the people who make them happen.

“At LGNI, we believe that friendships, support and respect between generations are a vital part of life in the communities we live, work and go to school.

“I very much look forward to seeing the photo entries and hope this competition will inspire new and existing connections between generations!”

The Commissioner for Older People, Eddie Lynch, said: “Intergenerational Week celebrates the role and influence older people continue to make in our society and on younger people.

“The benefit of these connections plays a huge part in increasing a sense of wellbeing, which cannot be underestimated.

“I am looking forward to judging the entries and seeing how the theme is interpreted by various age groups.”

The Chief Executive of NICCY, Mairead McCafferty, said: “Building a sense of solidarity between generations is more important now than ever as we continue the recovery from the pandemic.

“I believe that that by coming together we can build stronger, more cohesive communities which enable people of all generations to reach their potential.

“We look forward to seeing the creative ways that people show how they are doing their part in connecting generations.”

All information, terms and conditions about the competition can be found at https://tinyurl.com/mttbkp43, with the closing date for photo competition entries set at noon on April 30.

Information on NI Global Intergenerational Activities and resources can be found at https://tinyurl.com/46xfuvcc.