Let a young world future-proof your business
in News by Shane Schutte. Permalink.
Young people across the globe are hoping to change the future that will one day be theirs. According to One Young World, we should let the "brilliant young people" make our countries and businesses future-proof.
Today's generation of under-30s are the leaders of tomorrow. So why are we not listening to them? Speaking at the Women of the Future Summit last week, Kate Robertson, co-founder of One Young World, shared her vision to raise the voices of young leaders across the globe and give them a platform to change the world.
Robertson believes that we are widely ignoring the opinions of young people and advices that we start listening now, as "they will inherit the awful mess we've made of many things". Surely we should be giving them the chance to reduce the challenges they will have to later face.
But despite numerous global youth forums, nobody listens to what the leaders of tomorrow have to say. As we have tuned out their pleas, so have companies and the government. "In order to get your vision of the future right, to shape your government, country or organisation, you must have among you brilliant young people," said Robertson, highlighting that youth unemployment and a lack of young people in the workforce are concerning.
This can't be for a lack of talent - after all, we are talking about the most informed generation in history. Estonia has started training their seven-year-old children to code, teens everywhere are creating apps and building start-ups. Advancing technology showcases a range of jobs that weren't readily available a few years ago, mostly pursued by eager youngsters who take the challenge of teaching themselves.
As the economy and technology shape the world we live in, the next generation eagerly adapts. They have strong views and fresh ideas, with the energy and passion to create a better world.
"All of us are in some position of power to make a difference," Robertson stressed. "But who's leading that change? We're not getting anywhere. So we should follow young people as they're trying to create a positive change. For example, the two non-executives on my board in the UK are aged 27 and 28, and they're truly talented."
The annual One Young World Summit is an event where young sponsored delegates are given the opportunity to debate solutions for the pressing issues the world faces. The Summit has more countries represented than any other organisation outside the Olympics. One Young World showcases a network of young leaders ready to supply the world with a different perspective and allows One Young World Ambassadors to work on their own initiatives.
"What we try to do for these young people once a year is bring all of them together to try to force the powers that be to listen to the views of young people. It's only a small step but I know that people will start listening," said Robertson.
When the delegates return to their companies, they set about creating change from within and energise their corporate environment, according to One Young World. So why not future-proof your company by sponsoring your young workers to join the One Young World Summit 2013, which will take place in Johannesburg on 2 October?
Goay Joe Lie
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