RTÉ Brainstorm Features DCU Age-Friendly University Director on Intergenerational Fairness

02/09/2026

Dr Christine O’Kelly, Director of DCU Age-Friendly University, examines demographic change, generational divides and the need for fairer policy across the life course in a new RTÉ Brainstorm article.

When did younger and older generations become rivals?

Dr Christine O'Kelly, Coordinator of DCU Age-Friendly University examines this question in a new RTÉ Brainstorm article on demographic change and intergenerational fairness.

As people live longer and societies change, debates around housing, employment, education and public services can increasingly frame the interests of younger and older people as competing. Dr O’Kelly considers why this generational divide can be misleading and why future policy needs to take account of people across the life course.
The article calls for a move away from generational competition towards a fairer approach that recognises the needs, contributions and opportunities of people of all ages.

Read the full piece via RTÉ Brainstorm:
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2026/0802/1589834-generations-demographics-society-young-old-intergenerational-fairness/