Young people hold the key to creating a better future
Image: Fateme Alaie/Unsplash
.chakra .wef-spn4bz{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);cursor:pointer;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-spn4bz:hover,.chakra .wef-spn4bz[data-hover]{text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-spn4bz:focus-visible,.chakra .wef-spn4bz[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);} Klaus Schwab
Listen to the article
- Young people are the most affected by the crises facing our world.
- They are also the ones with the most innovative ideas and energy to build a better society for tomorrow.
- Read the report "Davos Labs: Youth Recovery Plan" here .
Young people today are coming to age in a world beset by crises. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic devastated lives and livelihoods around the world, the socio-economic systems of the past had put the liveability of the planet at risk and eroded the pathway to healthy, happy, fulfilled lives for too many.
The same prosperity that enabled global progress and democracy after the Second World War is now creating the inequality, social discord and climate change we see today — along with a widening generational wealth gap and youth debt burden, too. For Millennials, the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Recession resulted in significant unemployment, huge student debt and a lack of meaningful jobs. Now, for Generation Z, COVID-19 has caused school shutdowns, worsening unemployment, and mass protests.
Young people are right to be deeply concerned and angry, seeing these challenges as a betrayal of their future.
But we can’t let these converging crises stifle us. We must remain optimistic – and we must act.
The next generation are the most important and most affected stakeholders when talking about our global future – and we owe them more than this. The year 2021 is the time to start thinking and acting long-term to make intergenerational parity the norm and to design a society, economy and international community that cares for all people.
Young people are also the best placed to lead this transformation. In the past 10 years of working with the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, a network of people between the ages of 20 and 30 working to address problems in more than 450 cities around the world, I’ve seen first-hand that they are the ones with the most innovative ideas and energy to build a better society for tomorrow.
Over the past year, Global Shapers organized dialogues on the most pressing issues facing society, government and business in 146 cities, reaching an audience of more than 2 million. The result of this global, multistakeholder effort, “ Davos Labs: Youth Recovery Plan ,” presents both a stark reminder of our urgent need to act and compelling insights for creating a more resilient, sustainable, inclusive world.
One of the unifying themes of the discussions was the lack of trust young people have for existing political, economic and social systems. They are fed up with ongoing concerns of corruption and stale political leadership, as well as the constant threat to physical safety caused by surveillance and militarized policing against activists and people of colour. In fact, more young people hold faith in governance by system of artificial intelligence than by a fellow human being.
Facing a fragile labour market and almost bankrupt social security system, almost half of those surveyed said they felt they had inadequate skills for the current and future workforce, and almost a quarter said they would risk falling into debt if faced with an unexpected medical expense. The fact that half of the global population remains without internet access presents additional hurdles. Waves of lockdowns and the stresses of finding work or returning to workplaces have exacerbated the existential and often silent mental health crisis.
So, what would Millennials and Generation Z do differently?
Most immediately, they are calling for the international community to safeguard vaccine equity to respond to COVID-19 and prevent future health crises.
Young people are rallying behind a global wealth tax to help finance more resilient safety nets and to manage the alarming surge in wealth inequality. They are calling to direct greater investments to programmes that help young progressive voices join government and become policymakers.
I am inspired by the countless examples of young people pursuing collective action by bringing together diverse voices to care for their communities.
To limit global warming, young people are demanding a halt to coal, oil and gas exploration, development, and financing, as well as asking firms to replace any corporate board directors who are unwilling to transition to cleaner energy sources.
They are championing an open internet and a $2 trillion digital access plan to bring the world online and prevent internet shutdowns, and they are presenting new ways to minimize the spread of misinformation and combat dangerous extremist views. At the same time, they’re speaking up about mental health and calling for investment to prevent and tackle the stigma associated with it.
The Global Shapers Community is a network of young people under the age of 30 who are working together to drive dialogue, action and change to address local, regional and global challenges.
The community spans more than 8,000 young people in 165 countries and territories.
Teams of Shapers form hubs in cities where they self-organize to create projects that address the needs of their community. The focus of the projects are wide-ranging, from responding to disasters and combating poverty, to fighting climate change and building inclusive communities.
Examples of projects include Water for Life, a effort by the Cartagena Hub that provides families with water filters that remove biological toxins from the water supply and combat preventable diseases in the region, and Creativity Lab from the Yerevan Hub, which features activities for children ages 7 to 9 to boost creative thinking.
Each Shaper also commits personally and professionally to take action to preserve our planet.
Join or support a hub near you .
Transparency, accountability, trust and a focus on stakeholder capitalism will be key to meeting this generation’s ambitions and expectations. We must also entrust in them the power to take the lead to create meaningful change.
I am inspired by the countless examples of young people pursuing collective action by bringing together diverse voices to care for their communities. From providing humanitarian assistance to refugees to helping those most affected by the pandemic to driving local climate action, their examples provide the blueprints we need to build the more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable society and economy we need in the post-COVID-19 world.
We are living together in a global village, and it’s only by interactive dialogue, understanding each another and having respect for one another that we can create the necessary climate for a peaceful and sustainable world.
Don't miss any update on this topic
Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.
License and Republishing
World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.
Stay up to date:
Youth perspectives, related topics:.
.chakra .wef-1v7zi92{margin-top:var(--chakra-space-base);margin-bottom:var(--chakra-space-base);line-height:var(--chakra-lineHeights-base);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-larger);}@media screen and (min-width: 56.5rem){.chakra .wef-1v7zi92{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-large);}} Explore and monitor how .chakra .wef-ugz4zj{margin-top:var(--chakra-space-base);margin-bottom:var(--chakra-space-base);line-height:var(--chakra-lineHeights-base);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-larger);color:var(--chakra-colors-yellow);}@media screen and (min-width: 56.5rem){.chakra .wef-ugz4zj{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-large);}} Youth Perspectives is affecting economies, industries and global issues
.chakra .wef-19044xk{margin-top:var(--chakra-space-base);margin-bottom:var(--chakra-space-base);line-height:var(--chakra-lineHeights-base);color:var(--chakra-colors-uplinkBlue);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-larger);}@media screen and (min-width: 56.5rem){.chakra .wef-19044xk{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-large);}} Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale
The agenda .chakra .wef-dog8kz{margin-top:var(--chakra-space-base);margin-bottom:var(--chakra-space-base);line-height:var(--chakra-lineheights-base);font-weight:var(--chakra-fontweights-normal);} weekly.
A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda
.chakra .wef-1dtnjt5{display:flex;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap;} More on Youth Perspectives .chakra .wef-2sx2oi{display:inline-flex;vertical-align:middle;padding-inline-start:var(--chakra-space-1);padding-inline-end:var(--chakra-space-1);text-transform:uppercase;font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-smallest);border-radius:var(--chakra-radii-base);font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-bold);background:none;box-shadow:var(--badge-shadow);align-items:center;line-height:var(--chakra-lineHeights-short);letter-spacing:1.25px;padding:var(--chakra-space-0);white-space:normal;color:var(--chakra-colors-greyLight);box-decoration-break:clone;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;}@media screen and (min-width: 37.5rem){.chakra .wef-2sx2oi{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-smaller);}}@media screen and (min-width: 56.5rem){.chakra .wef-2sx2oi{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-base);}} See all
From herding to coding: the Mongolian NGO bridging the digital divide
Bolor-Erdene Battsengel and Oyungoo Enkhbold
October 21, 2024
5 charts that show the state of global youth employment in 2024
Build your personal board of advisors: An entrepreneur explains the importance of mentors
Innovation Prize: Meet the next generation of changemakers
Empowering the future: how Global Shapers are advancing the youth agenda
What can volunteering teach us about compassionate leadership?
- Get involved
True benefit from technology can only be achieved when digital disparities for young people are addressed
Statement by Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General, and Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, at the session ‘#YouthLead: Shaping an Inclusive Digital Future for All’ at the Summit of the Future – Action Days #YouthLead for the Future.
September 20, 2024
Excellencies,
Dear Young Leaders,
I am honored to be invited as a part of this panel and to have the privilege of hearing directly from young leaders who are at the forefront of advancing digital transition.
Digital inclusion is vital: Today’s young people have never experienced a world without the internet. Yet, an estimated 2.2 billion children and young people aged 25 or younger, two-thirds of the global population in that age group, do not have internet access at home, placing them at risk of being left behind.
Only if we bridge this divide and overcome digital disparities for young people can we truly benefit from technology.
UNDP advocates for 'intentionally inclusive' digital development that empowers young people and For example,in Asia-Pacific, Youth Co:Lab, co-created by UNDP and Citi Foundation in 2017, benefited over 19,000 young people in 28 countries, and helped launch or improve over 2,600 youth-led social innovation and entrepreneurship teams, strengthening their SDG solutions and investment readiness. The Youth Co:Lab platform actively supports young people in their learning and capacity development to be able to gain digital skills and thrive in the modern labor market.
Crucially, young people must have a say in the shaping of our shared and digital future. UNDP leverages technology to support meaningful youth participation, while also protecting their rights. This so-called ‘super election year’ has highlighted the importance of young people in political processes. UNDP works with countries to foster greater youth inclusion and participation throughout electoral cycles, including by supporting digital platforms and tools that protect their fundamental rights.
Young people are already leading the way. Together, let us seize this Summit of the Future to accelerate sustainable development and truly benefit from technology by supporting meaningful youth participation, leveraging youth-led tech solutions and ensuring digital access and skills for youth of all backgrounds.
Related content
Unlocking the power of crowdfunding with the Moldovan municipalities
Ten municipalities in Moldova joined a crowdfunding training programme to gain skills in creating and running effective crowdfunding campaigns for local projects…
A seminar on the role of project management in achieving the SDGs was held in Astana
On 8-9 November, with the support of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations…
Consolidated report of the members of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) on the preventive visits carried out in Astana in 2023 presented
Human Rights Commissioner Artur Lastaev today chaired the presentation of the consolidated report of the members of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) on…
Enhancing Resilience: Civil Protection Simulation Exercise takes place in Peshkopi
Toast to Clean Energy and the Clean Energy Awards 2024
TED is supported by ads and partners 00:00
Teens, Technology, and the Antidote
IMAGES
VIDEO