The Future is Young

Why this book

Chapter 7 — Revitalizing ambition and faith in the future

If we can ensure that the younger generations regain the faith in the future that our times require, then it is very possible that our world might be entering the age of purpose. In the transition phase ahead, empathy, sharing and caring, diversity and inclusion will be critically important. Most vital however will be our capacity to enjoy that passage. We are not there yet: to change course, we need to acknowledge today’s skepticism and pessimism. Having faith in the future is the best way to make it better. We need new data – but it is a different kind of data. We need to connect history with today’s young people’s own impressions and experiences. Will this require a new social contract at the global level? Here too, history has a few lessons for us. In the conclusion of this book (chapter 8), we try to address in a realistic but nonetheless ambitious fashion the only question that finally matters: where do we go from here? In that last chapter, we suggest a roadmap, and a few principles for successful action. Why did we write this book? Ultimately, this book’s ambition is to influencemajor debates that are surrounding worldwide issues of technology, innovation, and talent. Specifically, the main objectives we have set out to achieve in writing this volume include: • Revive the young generation’s hopes and ambitions. Inspire young people to tackle global challenges in a forceful and optimistic way. • Serve up a fact-based, well-argued value proposition about shaping the future. Anticipate and addresses the challenges we face today while reflecting deeply on and making the best of what history has taught us.

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