An intergenerational dialogue expert will discuss breaking down language barriers tonight. James Gambone, principal partner of a training and consulting firm called Points of View Inc. in Minneapolis, Minn., will be presenting a program at 4:30 p.m. today called “Together for Tomorrow: Building Community through Intergenerational Dialogue” based on the book he wrote. The event will take place in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. Gambone will discuss the similarities and differences between five generations. Gambone has done many workshops on topics such as family, disaster relief, fears of elderly and community empowerment, said Mary Jo Glanville, communication specialist for the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. She said the dialogue will include how to get input from the different groups that comprise society. “He is going to talk about how the different generations can work together to solve problems. His message is that we all have to work together as a group to solve the issues that we face nowadays,” she said. Gambone was chosen to speak based on recommendations by the Minnesota extension and ISU faculty, said Colleen Jolly, extension program specialist for the ISU extension office. “He has worked many years to get all the generations together with unique approaches,” Jolly said. The speech will focus on communication between generations. “Each of us have different experiences that can be more effectively utilized if we bring all perspectives into one place. Also it is important as we’re planning for the future to have to think about the past and younger generation in the future,” she said. “In a lot of ways the groups are alike, and the more we communicate the more things we can do together.” Gambone will discuss five generation groups – the GIs, Silents, Boomers, 13ers and Millennials. Jolly said the generations are defined by the year a person becomes an adult and their environmental influences. “I can’t say exactly how the generations are separated,” she said. “It depends on experience and how they view the world.” Gambone will tie into his lecture the importance of listening to all generations to build the community. “He is going to take a community development approach as a way to address issues,” Jolly said. The event is free and open to the public. Gambone is recognized as a national and international resource in the area of training and intergenerational relationships, according to the Points of View Web site.