Bridging the Divide: An Intergenerational Dialogue for a Shared Future in Mauritius

Economic Growth & Inclusive Development

March 26, 2026

Bridging the Divide:

An Intergenerational Dialogue for a Shared Future in Mauritius

Date & Time: 13th of April, 2026 | 8.30am - 5pm
Location: Charles Telfair Education, Moka

Mauritius is at stress point where more of its youth aspire to leave the country and/or are struggling to find their place in a world of work that is, to some extent, still designed largely under 20th century practices. There is rising evidence of a growing gap in perspectives, values, aspirations, expectations and communication styles between generations.

To inform the design of the event a focus group study was conducted with students from Curtin and Vatel, which identified some of the divergences in how younger and older generations view the world. Key areas of difference include approaches to work ethic and work-life balance, the importance of mental health, motivations driven by "wants" versus "needs”, and perspectives on relationships and life trajectories. The youth participants expressed a perception that their contributions are not always sufficiently valued, and that reciprocal respect can be lacking in the workplace.

This event hopes to create a platform for leaders and youth to move beyond these differences, fostering mutual understanding and co-creating actionable solutions for the common good.

Objectives

The primary objectives of this full-day dialogue are to:

Foster Empathy and Understanding: Create a professionally facilitated space for 60 youth and 40 leaders from the private sector, NGOs, and government to openly share perspectives.
Identify Common Ground: Move beyond differences to identify shared values and aspirations for the future of Mauritius.
Co-create Solutions: Develop a concrete roadmap with practical solutions to intergenerational challenges in the workplace and society.
Build a Network: Establish a lasting network of leaders and young people committed to ongoing intergenerational collaboration.

Key Themes

Track 1: The Future of Work & Aspiration

This workshop will explore building together a modern work culture bridging perceptions and expectation around productivity over presenteeism, the integration of new technologies. It will explore how to bridge career expectations & personal values and how organisations can better demonstrate how they value the contributions and perspectives of their young talent.

Track 2: Society, Identity & Wellbeing

This track will tackle sensitive and personal topics, including modern perspectives on relationships, sexuality, and identity. It will also address crucial issues like gender and ethnic discrimination and the importance of autonomy in making life choices.

Track 3: Building a Cohesive Mauritius

This workshop will focus on the broader societal vision. It will examine how different generations can bridge communication gaps for the common good and work together to build a more sustainable and inclusive nation.