This week marks Global Intergenerational Week – an opportunity to realise the Prime Minister’s promise to “repair the broken contract with young people” and “secure our future.”
In a world increasingly shaped by division and instability, intergenerational cohesion is a national strategic asset we can’t afford to ignore. The rush to label Gen Z as supporting dictatorship misses the real story. Young people do have significant issues with how the system is failing them, but a majority do not want to tear it down, they’re simply asking for a future that works. Instead of exaggerating divides, we need to bring young people and their priorities in to rebuild trust – to listen, to involve, and to act. That means shaping a shared, long-term vision for the UK to 2050 – one that addresses very real concerns about prospects around housing, jobs, climate, health, care, pensions, debt – as well as security.
Together, we’re calling on the government to:
- Embed a principle of intergenerational fairness in policymaking, assessing policies and budgets;
- Create a parliamentary committee for the future and involve youth in a national strategy and dialogue;
- Support local councils to develop an intergenerational strategy with communities of all ages.
Building a future-fit Britain requires intergenerational solidarity and bold, long-term thinking. It’s our shared duty to make that happen – for today’s citizens and for generations to come.
Signed by:
Cat Zuzarte Tully (Managing Director of School of International Futures)
Will Snell (Chief Executive of Fairness Foundation)
Stephen Burke (Director of United for All Ages)
Bobby Duffy (Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute, King’s College London)
Nathaniel Beckett (Peace and Security co-lead at Next Generation Foresight Practitioners)
Henrietta Moore (Director of the Institute for Global Prosperity at University College London)