Youth Foresight Research on Intergenerational Equity: A Call to Rewrite the Future Before It’s Too Late

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The world’s most pressing problems—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—are not just environmental crises. They are time bombs ticking away at the very foundation of human civilization, disproportionately affecting those who have done the least to cause them: the youth of today and the generations yet to be born.

For decades, politicians have spoken about “leaving a better world for our children”, yet most governments are failing to meaningfully integrate intergenerational equity (IE)—the principle that present generations have a duty to protect the rights, opportunities, and well-being of future generations—into their decision-making.

Now, a new youth-led global research project is daring to challenge this status quo. It is a call to action, a rallying cry, and an invitation: Your voice matters—help us redefine what fairness between generations should look like and demand that our leaders protect the future, not just the present.

Why Intergenerational Equity Matters More Than Ever

The idea of intergenerational fairness is not new. It is enshrined in documents like the 1987 Brundtland Report, which defined sustainable development as meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. The UN Declaration on Future Generations formalizes this moral responsibility, while Article 3 of the UNFCCC (1992) explicitly states that protecting the climate system must benefit both present and future generations.

Yet, lofty ideals mean little without action. Around the world, policy decisions still prioritize short-term political gains over long-term survival. The impacts of this short-sightedness are devastating—rising seas swallowing coastal communities, extreme weather displacing millions, ecosystems collapsing, and vulnerable populations in the Global South bearing the brunt.

The cruel irony? The very people who will live with the consequences—the youth—are systematically excluded from decision-making spaces, especially in global and national governance.

The Triple Planetary Crisis: A Generational Emergency

Intergenerational equity is more than a philosophical principle—it is a lifeline.

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are deeply intergenerational issues. These crises worsen over time, compounding their impacts with each passing year. The children born today will inherit a planet more unstable, more unequal, and more fragile than at any point in recorded history—unless we act now.

Governments’ failure to consider the spillover effects of ineffective climate policies means today’s political choices can lock in environmental degradation for decades. This is not just negligence; it is an abdication of moral responsibility.

The Youth Foresight Research Project: Turning Voices into Policy Power

Recognizing this urgent need for change, the Global Youth Coalition has launched a groundbreaking research initiative to explore and redefine what intergenerational equity means from the perspective of young people worldwide.

This is not just a study—it is a participatory movement. Through surveys, workshops, and collaborative foresight exercises, youth under 35 from all backgrounds are invited to share how they define fairness between generations, how they’ve experienced inequality, and what solutions they envision.

The goal is to co-create measurable, youth-responsive metrics that policymakers can use to ensure intergenerational fairness is embedded at every level—local, national, and international.

Three Phases to Change the Future

Global Online Survey

A deep dive into youth perceptions of intergenerational equity—how they define it, where they see failures, and what signals point toward a more just future.

This is where your voice can spark systemic change.

Foresight Workshops

Using tools like the Three Horizons model, participants will map possible futures, identify critical uncertainties, and develop shared visions for a just and sustainable world.

Co-Developing Metrics

Youth and experts will jointly design practical, adaptable indicators to measure and promote intergenerational equity in governance. The results will form a scalable framework for global institutions.

What’s at Stake

This work will feed directly into global policy discussions at major events such as FfD4 in Spain, COP30, and UNEA7—ensuring that leaders cannot ignore the voices of the very people who will live with the outcomes of their decisions.

Expected outcomes include:

A youth-defined working definition of intergenerational equity.

Future scenarios illustrating possible paths forward (or backward).

A policy assessment framework to hold governments accountable.

An advocacy strategy to push for implementation.

Why You Should Participate

By joining this initiative, you will:

Gain skills in Strategic Foresight and futures thinking.

Deepen your understanding of IE from ethical, legal, and policy perspectives.

Collaborate with youth advocates tackling the triple planetary crisis.

Contribute directly to frameworks that could reshape global governance.

Earn recognition as a leader in intergenerational justice.

This is not just a survey—it’s a chance to write the rules of the future.

The Urgency is Now

In the words of environmental advocate Severn Cullis-Suzuki:

“One of humanity’s strongest survival assets was foresight... Today we are witnessing the results of our lack of foresight... we are heading to the point of no return.”

We cannot afford to let the absence of youth voices dictate the fate of our planet. Intergenerational equity must move from political rhetoric to political reality.

Join the Movement

The future is not something that simply happens to us—it is something we shape. The question is: will you have a hand in shaping it, or will you let others decide for you?

If you are under 35, this is your moment to speak, influence, and demand accountability. Participate in the Youth Foresight Research on Intergenerational Equity and help ensure that the decisions made today honor the rights of tomorrow.

Take the survey. Join the workshops. Shape the world you want to inherit.

Photo from UNIDO

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