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

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

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

Beyond the White Coat: Atom Araullo's Call to Action for the Next Generation of Filipino Doctors

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a powerful and poignant address at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine's 116th Recognition Rites, multi-awarded broadcast journalist Atom Araullo challenged the graduating Class of 2025 to re-examine the very definition of a "good doctor." Araullo's message transcended the traditional boundaries of a commencement speech, urging the future medical leaders to confront the systemic issues plaguing the Philippine healthcare system and society at large.

The core of Araullo's message was a dramatic and compelling call to look beyond the confines of the hospital walls. He began by acknowledging the immense contribution doctors already make, stating, "By becoming a doctor, you already make a direct contribution to our nation's health." However, he quickly posed a challenging question: "But is being a good doctor good enough?"

Araullo’s words painted a vivid picture of the harsh realities facing Filipino patients. He directly tackled the issue of inequality, a problem that is particularly stark in the Philippines. "In the Philippines," he declared, "access to the best medical care is largely determined by one thing: money." He didn't shy away from the gravity of this statement, adding, "That should disturb us." He implored the medical graduates to not only be disturbed but to act, positioning them as "future leaders in the medical profession" with the "power, and responsibility, to ask why that is so. And more importantly, what can be done about it."

This call to action was not merely an abstract ideal but a deeply personal and human one. Araullo reminded the graduates that they would be meeting their patients "on the worst day of their lives." In these moments of profound vulnerability, he emphasized the power of compassion. "Even a small act of compassion, a few extra minutes to explain a diagnosis, a look of reassurance, a hand on the shoulder, can mean the world." He underscored this point with a powerful thought: "To your patients, you are the system. What they feel from you, they will feel from the world."

The journalist’s address culminated in a stirring challenge to become a force for transformation. He praised the extraordinary nature of being a good doctor, but challenged them to aim higher. "If you also choose to confront the larger realities that shape your patient’s lives: poverty, inequality, injustice, then you become something even more powerful." That something, he passionately concluded, is "a force for transformation."

Araullo's speech was a reminder that the world doesn't need more "experts who look away." It needs "professionals who show up, speak out, and stay when things get hard." He highlighted that the journey ahead would demand courage, not just brilliance. It would require "heart" in addition to "skill."

As the Class of 2025 steps boldly into the next chapter of their lives, Araullo's words will undoubtedly resonate. His challenge serves as a powerful reminder that the country needs a new kind of doctor—one who is not just a healer of the body, but a champion for a healthier, more just society. He left them with a final, unequivocal message: "That is the kind of Filipino the country deserves."

The "I-KMJS na ‘yan!" Vibe: Jessica Soho's Masterclass for Campus Journalists

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

When a broadcast legend like Jessica Soho takes the stage, you don’t just get a talk; you get a masterclass. At the National Schools Press Conference (#NSPC2025) in Ilocos Sur, campus journalists weren't just lectured—they were ignited. What happened when a veteran journalist met the next generation of storytellers? A dramatic convergence of "truth bombs, purpose checks, and all the vibes." It was a moment so powerful, it could only be described as, "I-KMJS na ‘yan!"

The AICFRBG of Journalism: A Seven-Point Manifesto

Jessica Soho didn't just share tips; she laid out the foundational pillars of her career, a seven-point manifesto for ethical and impactful journalism, which she encapsulated in the acronym AICFRBG:

Accuracy

Impact

Content

Fairness

Reading

Balance

Doing Good

Let's dive into these "truth bombs" that form the bedrock of a journalist's moral compass.

Accuracy: The Bedrock of the Profession

Soho didn't mince words. Accuracy is the "bedrock or foundation" of journalism. She stressed that a journalist must report what is genuinely true and verifiable. It's about facts, not fiction; data, not rumors. She warned against blindly trusting second-hand information or social media gossip, emphasizing the two-source rule and the necessity of confirmation from reputable sources. "First-hand information is gold," she declared, a resounding call for journalists to do the legwork and witness events themselves.

Impact: Telling Stories That Matter

Journalism isn't just about reporting; it's about making an impact. But this impact must be achieved with integrity. Soho cautioned against falling into the trap of sensationalism or tabloid journalism, which can manipulate facts for clicks and views. The goal is to tell a story "clearly and with impact," without resorting to exaggeration. The power of a story lies in its ability to move, inform, and inspire, not in its ability to shock.

Content: The Unquestionable Monarch

"Content will always be king or queen," Soho said, a timeless truth in an age of information overload. She reinforced a crucial principle she’s carried throughout her career: the story is the star, not the journalist. "Hindi tayo ang istorya. Ang istorya ang bida, hindi tayo." (We are not the story. The story is the protagonist, not us.) It’s a humbling reminder that journalists are merely conduits for stories that need to be told.

Fairness: Giving Every Story a Voice

In journalism, fairness isn't a suggestion; it's "gospel truth." A journalist’s sacred duty is to "always get the other side of the story, to give the other person a fair shake." When someone is accused, you must get their side of the story. You must listen to their perspective and their tale, because "each one of us has a story to tell." This commitment to fairness ensures a balanced and complete narrative.

Reading: The Journalist’s Lifeline

A journalist must be a curious and interested individual, and the only way to achieve this is through extensive reading. "You need to write, so you need to read. It's as basic and simple as that," Soho stated. Reading provides depth, knowledge, and a broader understanding of the world and its people. It is the fuel that powers a journalist's curiosity and the well from which they draw their insights.

Be Good and Do Good: The Ultimate Moral Compass

Finally, Soho left the young journalists with a powerful message that transcends the profession itself: Be Good and Do Good. This isn't just about professional ethics; it's a call to moral ascendancy. She implored them to criticize "on issues, not so much on personalities." This means no bullying, no name-calling, no below-the-belt attacks, and absolutely no spreading of fake news. "Being in media gives us some sense of moral ascendancy," she explained, emphasizing that journalists hold the "moral compass of the nation." It is a profound responsibility that demands a commitment to goodness.

Jessica Soho's masterclass was more than just a speech; it was a rallying cry. She didn't just teach the young journalists how to be better reporters; she showed them how to be better human beings. The message was clear: if you want to be a journalist, you must be a storyteller of truth, purpose, and passion. And with that, the next generation of storytellers was sent forth, equipped with a renewed sense of purpose and the unwavering spirit of "I-KMJS na ‘yan!"