Older generation "Wieni" converses with "MeerBlatt", a younger publication
Meet Michaela Kura and the "Meerblatt" team's inspiring exchange with young, budding journalists
The vibrant world of journalism collided with youthful curiosity when Michaela Kura, the fearless leader at the helm of the "Meerblatt" newspaper club, engaged in a thrilling 90-minute tête-à-tête with the bustling editorial team of the Meerbusch generation magazine "Meerblatt". This intriguing project, launched at the VHS Meerbusch in January 2023, blossomed under the nurturing support of Béatrice Delassalle-Wischert - the VHS director who champions the magazine's organizational administration.
The amicable meeting unfolded at the Nikolaus school, where a heartwarming welcome awaited the esteemed guests. Led by a lively welcoming committee, the team of Doris Schulz, Gabriele Herrendorf, Béatrice Delassalle-Wischert, and "Meerblatt" photographer Klaus Mock, each child had prepared a thoughtful question for their guests. Ranging from the club's funding sources to the limits of article length, the young minds didn't shy away from probing the minds of the pros. Moreover, the professionals didn't shy away from replying candidly, engaging the young editorial hopefuls in meaningful discourse.
The interactive session ignited an array of ideas: for instance, it surfaced that shared topic selection and individual creative work are part of both teams' journalistic processes. Both teams, it seemed, were more alike than not. The senior members also struck up conversations centered on the next generation's preferred topics of discussion. Environment, nature, animal welfare, and combating plastic waste took center stage, showcasing the young minds' keen awareness of the world's most pressing issues.
The intergenerational dialogue bubbled with energy and an infectious sense of camaraderie. While the "Meerblatt" seniors appreciated the Wieni team's passion, they made light of the disparity in gender ratios, with only one boy gracing the female-dominated Wieni team. In contrast, "Meerblatt" boasted a more balanced roster with an impressive six men and nine women carving their paths in journalism.
With enlightening exchanges under their belts, adoring farewells were exchanged. The takeaway? The collaborative event left both teams inspired, revealing that intergenerational collaboration can be a powerful force for creative inspiration and ideas. The young journalists captivated their elder counterparts with their unbounded zeal for societal issues, while the seniors awed the kids with their experience and level-headedness. Together, they represent a harmonious, cross-generational partnership brimming with potential.
- The young journalists demonstrated their interest in various aspects of life, such as health, lifestyle, education-and-self-development, and general news, as they probed the professionals about the club's funding sources and the limits of article length.
- During the intergenerational dialogue, it was evident that both teams shared a common interest in pressing global issues, particularly those related to the environment, nature, animal welfare, and combating plastic waste, which underscores the importance of these topics in their journalistic pursuits.
