focus area
Youth & Future Generations
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The decisions and actions of previous generations have undoubtedly shaped our world.
We need to consider what legacy we are leaving for those who will follow. This planet is not ours; we inherited it from those who came before us, and we will pass it on to those yet to come. Today’s youth and future generations are stakeholders in the world we are crafting now. Their well-being, opportunities, and prospects rest on our decisions and actions.
Therefore, how can we act as responsible ancestors, and how can we ensure the future is a shared benefit for people living now and those to come?
Today's decision-making model is skewed towards economic and social models that prioritize relentless economic growth and resource depletion. This approach favours short-term gains, thereby borrowing – or ‘stealing’ – from the future.
The original definition of sustainable development, as set out in the landmark 1987 Brundtland Report, is anchored in the principle of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This definition is underpinned by the principle of intergenerational equity, which states that the short-term needs of the present generation should be balanced with the long-term needs of future generations.
To take the above principles forward, mindsets need to shift towards greater responsibility and care for those who will inherit the Earth. Ultimately, it is crucial to create the conditions for sustainable futures, guiding our choices towards actions that are fair across generations. Our collective aim should be to leave a surplus for the generations that follow.
To secure a significant role for future generations in today's decision-making, youth need to be empowered as the designers of their own world. If we cannot collaborate across generations now, how can we expect to do so in the future?
The Beyond Lab engages youth, facilitating their participation in multi-stakeholder and intergenerational dialogues. For instance, the Lab has mapped new sustainability values, identifying global youth priorities for long-term sustainability.
Additionally, the Lab brings marginalized topics and people to the centre of dialogues, as we believe it's crucial to create space for diversity now as we envision a future that includes everyone, embracing multiple, coexisting futures instead of a single, conventional one.
Finally, the Beyond Lab focuses on developing concrete systemic tools for decision-makers to prioritize long-term considerations and shift away from 'quick fixes' and short-term decision-making.
This impact point focuses on developing a leadership model that is not just about individual leaders but about the collective. It emphasizes the importance of shared visions and collaborative efforts to address global challenges. Strengthening collective leadership involves creating platforms for dialogue, empowering diverse voices, and ensuring that leadership roles are accessible to individuals from various backgrounds and disciplines.
This approach encourages a more inclusive, adaptive, and resilient form of leadership that is capable of navigating complexities. By fostering collective leadership, we can ensure that decisions are made with a broad perspective, taking into account the well-being of both current and future generations.
The primary impact of mainstreaming intergenerational thinking through increased intergenerational collaboration is the establishment of a new norm where generations actively work together, rather than pursue their generational self-interests. This approach fosters a mindset of collective responsibility and mutual learning, where the wisdom of older generations and the innovation of younger generations are equally integrated to address challenges.
This impact point focuses on a transitioning from short-termism to long-termism in decision-making as a comprehensive reorientation of how society approaches development and progress. This paradigm shift is critical for addressing the complex challenges of our time, including the climate crisis, resources depletion, and social inequalities.
By prioritizing long-term impacts, decisions will increasingly reflect a balance between immediate needs and future consequences. The result is a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable world where policies and actions are designed to benefit not just the current population but also future generations.
Ultimately, this shift aims to leave a positive legacy, characterized by a world that values and actively contributes to the long-term health of the planet and its inhabitants.
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