How to believe in the future?

Arguments

The speaker emphasizes the importance of education and opportunity in their life.

Supporting facts:

• The speaker is from Brazil and is a Global Shaper

• They are studying public policy and government

Topics: Education, Opportunity

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The speaker believes in the power of institutions and intends to participate in them.

Supporting facts:

• They are studying public policy and government

Topics: Institutions, Public Policy

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The speaker values authenticity and originality within institutional roles.

Supporting facts:

• They advise to act as young people and not conform to expectations

Topics: Institutions, Youth involvement, Change

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Report

The speakers in this analysis emphasize the immense importance of education and opportunity in their lives. They believe that access to quality education plays a vital role in personal growth and development. One of the speakers is from Brazil and identifies as a Global Shaper.

They are currently studying public policy and government, demonstrating their commitment to expanding educational opportunities and creating positive change in their community. Furthermore, the speakers acknowledge the power of institutions and their role in bringing about peace, justice, and strong governance.

As they study public policy and government, they express a strong belief in the potential of institutions to shape society and address pressing issues. They intend to actively participate in these institutions, contributing to their improvement and effectiveness. Authenticity and originality are highly valued by the speakers when assuming institutional roles.

They advise young people to act according to their true selves and not conform to societal expectations. By doing so, they believe individuals can have a more significant impact within institutional frameworks and bring about positive change. Additionally, the speakers urge increased youth involvement in their respective countries.

They recognize the importance of young voices and perspectives in shaping policies and institutions. Seeking advice on how to involve more young people, they demonstrate a keen interest in fostering youth participation and ensuring their active engagement in decision-making processes.

Overall, this analysis highlights the significance of education and opportunity, the power of institutions, and the need for more youth involvement. It underscores the idea that education and opportunity are key drivers of personal and societal development, and institutions play a crucial role in creating a just and peaceful society.

The speakers encourage young people to be authentic and engaged in institutional roles, advocating for their voices to be heard and valued. This analysis offers valuable insights into the importance of education, institutions, and youth engagement in shaping a better future for all.

Arguments

There is a need for more young people in decision-making spaces

Supporting facts:

• Only 2.8% of parliaments around the world are under 30 years old, while the population under 30 is 50%

Topics: Youth Engagement, Political Decisions

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There is a need to bring young-led efforts together into the table and coordinate more between youth movements and constituencies

Supporting facts:

• The creation of a youth office institutionalized in the Secretariat of the UN

Topics: Youth movements, United Nations, Coordination

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The UN needs to listen more and must act through the communities to change

Supporting facts:

• The UN Youth Office is tasked with bringing more young voices into decision making at the UN

• UN is in the process called Summit of the Future, an opportunity to rethink the future of multilateralism and a way to involve youth voices

Topics: UN Reform, Trust Building, Youth Voices

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Report

There is a growing recognition of the need to include more young people in decision-making spaces. Statistics show that only 2.8% of parliaments worldwide consist of individuals under 30, despite this age group representing 50% of the global population. This underrepresentation of young voices in decision-making processes highlights the urgency for institutions to change and better reflect the voices and opinions of young people.

To address this issue, the United Nations (UN) has taken steps towards engaging with youth and addressing intergenerational challenges. The UN has established a youth office with political support from member states, recognizing the importance of involving young people in shaping policies and decisions that directly impact their lives.

This signifies the recognition that institutions must adapt and establish mechanisms to incorporate the voices and opinions of young people. An essential aspect of promoting meaningful youth engagement is the need to bring together young-led efforts and coordinate between youth movements and constituencies.

By establishing a youth office, the UN aims to institutionalize the coordination of youth-led initiatives within the Secretariat of the organization. This move will facilitate better coordination and collaboration between various youth movements, enabling a more unified and impactful approach to addressing global challenges.

The UN Youth Office is actively working on developing a strategy to engage with different youth constituencies. This strategy will serve as a framework for effectively involving young people in decision-making processes and ensuring their concerns and aspirations are adequately addressed.

Additionally, there is also a recognition of the importance of intergenerational dialogue and support, highlighting the need for collaboration between different age groups to address complex challenges effectively. Furthermore, the UN is launching the Summit of the Future process, which represents an opportunity to involve youth voices in shaping the future of multilateralism.

This process recognizes the valuable contributions that young people can make and seeks to incorporate their perspectives and ideas into the decision-making processes of the UN. By actively listening and involving diverse youth voices, the UN aims to rebuild trust and create a more inclusive and responsive institution.

In conclusion, the global call for more young people in decision-making spaces highlights the need for institutions to adapt and reflect the voices and opinions of young people. The establishment of a youth office within the UN, along with efforts to coordinate and engage with various youth movements and constituencies, represents positive steps towards meaningful youth engagement.

By involving diverse youth voices and addressing intergenerational challenges, trust in the UN can be rebuilt, leading to more effective and inclusive decision-making processes.

Arguments

Kamal Ahmed emphasizes the need for youth decision panels over advisory panels

Supporting facts:

• The average age of the world is 29, the average age of decision makers is 55

Topics: Youth Engagement, Decision-making, Leadership

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Ahmed envisions and supports media platforms that allow young people to contribute and make decisions.

Supporting facts:

• His media business, the News Movement, based in New York and London

• Published a video with 16.8 million views on TikTok featuring a young Maori New Zealand female MP

• Average age of his newsrooms is 25

• His news organization is female majority

Topics: Media, Democratic Participation

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Kamal Ahmed emphasizes the important role of agriculture and food security

Supporting facts:

• Agriculture and food security discussions featured prominently at Davos.

• Nyifamu Manzo discussed the First Movers Coalition for Food and the importance of supporting smallholder farmers and women in agriculture.

Topics: Agriculture, Food Security, Climate Action, Smallholder Farmers

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Kamal Ahmed agrees with the idea that leadership and executives serve different roles

Supporting facts:

• Kamal appreciates the distinction made between leadership and executives

Topics: Leadership, Business Strategy

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Ahmed believes the drive for business should be improvement or ‘being better’, not just profitability

Supporting facts:

• Ahmed queries whether the profit motive should be de-emphasised in favour of businesses striving to be better

Topics: Sustainable Development, Business Strategy, Leadership

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Report

Kamal Ahmed, a prominent advocate for youth engagement and leadership in decision-making, emphasises the need for youth decision panels over advisory panels. He believes that involving young people in decision-making processes is crucial for ensuring a more inclusive and representative society.

By promoting youth empowerment, Ahmed aims to create opportunities for young individuals to contribute their unique perspectives and ideas. Ahmed envisions media platforms that allow young people to actively participate and make decisions. His media business, the News Movement, based in New York and London, embodies this vision.

The News Movement boasts a predominantly young and female staff, with an average age of 25, and Ahmed emphasises the importance of diverse and inclusive newsrooms. In addition to youth engagement, Ahmed advocates for intergenerational partnership and collaboration. He believes that both older and younger generations should understand and embrace working together, highlighting a quote from Taylor Hawkins, a global shaper from Sydney, who emphasised the importance of older generations understanding partnership.

Ahmed recognises that effective collaboration between different age groups is vital for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 17, which focuses on partnerships for the goals. Furthermore, Ahmed sheds light on the critical role of agriculture and food security. He highlights discussions around these topics during Davos, underscoring their prominence on the global agenda.

Additionally, Ahmed stresses the importance of supporting smallholder farmers and women in agriculture, recognising their significant contribution to food security. Despite the importance of agriculture and food security, Ahmed notes that traditional media often overlooks these topics, focusing more on technology and other issues.

He calls for increased focus and coverage on these fundamental issues that impact every individual. Ahmed also touches on the distinction between leadership and executives. He appreciates this differentiation, recognising that effective leadership extends beyond simply occupying executive positions. Moreover, Ahmed questions the profit motive of businesses and emphasises the need for them to strive for improvement rather than mere profitability.

He suggests that businesses should seek to be better, not just financially successful, aligning their goals with sustainable development and responsible consumption and production. In line with a focus on responsible business practices, Ahmed argues that businesses should consider their impact on equity and morality.

He highlights the importance of addressing historic injustices and acknowledges the significance of narratives such as the colonial history of Canada. Ahmed calls for businesses to reflect on their role in these narratives and work towards creating a more equitable and just society.

In conclusion, Kamal Ahmed advocates for youth engagement and leadership, media platforms that foster inclusivity, intergenerational partnership and collaboration, support for agriculture and food security, redefining the concept of business leadership, prioritising improvement over profit, and considering the impact of businesses on equity and morality.

Through his insights and vision, Ahmed offers valuable perspectives on creating a more inclusive, sustainable, and just world.

Arguments

Natalie Pierce introduces the session titled ‘How to Believe in the Future’ at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting.

Supporting facts:

• The Global Shapers community spans over 10,000 young people in over 500 cities in 150 countries around the world.

• Global Shapers have been sharing youth perspectives on the theme of rebuilding trust at the annual meeting.

Topics: World Economic Forum, Global Shapers community, Future belief

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Report

At the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, Natalie Pierce introduces a session entitled ‘How to Believe in the Future.’ The session focuses on the significant impact that young people have in creating global change. This theme aligns with the aims of the Global Shapers community, a group comprising over 10,000 young individuals hailing from 150 different countries.

The Global Shapers community has been crucial in sharing youth perspectives on the crucial topic of rebuilding trust. With representatives in over 500 cities, they have the ability to reach a wide variety of people and showcase the importance of trust in society.

Their efforts have been particularly evident at the World Economic Forum, where they have actively engaged with world leaders and CEOs to voice their concerns and express their perspectives. To highlight the impact of young people, the Global Shapers community released an impact report.

This report provides concrete examples of how young individuals can drive positive and lasting change. It showcases their role in addressing key global challenges and emphasizes their ability to shape sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) while advocating for peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16).

The sentiment surrounding this session and the Global Shapers community is overwhelmingly positive. Both Natalie Pierce’s introduction and the impact report reflect a belief in the potential of young people to make a meaningful difference. By participating in dialogues with influential figures, the Global Shapers community is actively working towards building trust and promoting positive change globally.

In conclusion, Natalie Pierce’s session ‘How to Believe in the Future’ at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting focuses on the significant impact young people have in creating global change. The Global Shapers community’s active involvement in sharing youth perspectives on rebuilding trust demonstrates their commitment to driving positive and lasting change.

Their engagement with world leaders and CEOs further illustrates the importance of involving young individuals in shaping a better future.

Arguments

Nyifamu foundedher company, Pharmatrix, to solve agricultural challenges leveraging technology, helping farmers to reach markets and mitigate food service loss.

Supporting facts:

• She moved from Lagos to Cardinal State, where over 80% of the people are farmers.

• She started growing maize and then decided to connect farmers with markets through her technology platform.

• The agri-commodity market in Nigeria is worth $3.8 billion, but currently experiences 40% food service loss.

Topics: Agricultural Technology, Food Security

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Nyifamu Manzo emphasizes the importance of agricultural sector in conferences

Supporting facts:

• She attended a session on First Movers Coalition for Food featuring people who support smallholder farmers

• She pointed out that women make up 70% of smallholder farmers yet often lack enough access to funding and land opportunities

• She mentioned that women in Nigeria do not have access to land lending or land leasing

Topics: Food Security, Climate Action, Agriculture, Support for Smallholder Farmers

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Building trust is crucial while pursuing profit

Supporting facts:

• Madam Aisha, a farmer, had an increase of 38% profit after working with the company.

• Farmers prefer selling to companies that provide higher returns even without upfront payment.

• People trust more when they are at the center of a company’s operations.

Topics: Agriculture, Business, Profit

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Report

Nyifamu Manzo, the founder of Pharmatrix, is making significant strides in addressing agricultural challenges in Nigeria through the use of technology. Her company aims to assist farmers in connecting with markets and mitigating food service loss. With over 80% of the population in Cardinal State being farmers, Nyifamu recognized the need to bridge the gap between producers and consumers.

Initially starting with maize farming, Nyifamu soon realized the potential to utilize technology to create a platform that connects farmers with markets. The agri-commodity market in Nigeria is estimated to be worth $3.8 billion; however, it currently experiences a staggering 40% food service loss.

By leveraging technology, Nyifamu’s platform helps farmers reach markets more efficiently, reducingfood waste and increasingprofits. Nyifamu’s approach to agriculture as a business is a refreshing perspective that highlights the importance of involving young people in the industry. Contrary to the belief of low youth engagement, she points out that more than 70% of Nigerian farmers are women, challenging the notion that young people are not interested in agriculture.

By presenting agriculture as a viable business option for young individuals, Nyifamu believes that more individuals will be encouraged to join the sector. During conferences, Nyifamu emphasizes the significance of the agricultural sector, particularly in terms of supporting smallholder farmers and promoting gender equality.

She has attended sessions on the First Movers Coalition for Food, where she advocates for increased support for smallholder farmers, particularly women. Despite women making up 70% of smallholder farmers in Nigeria, they often face challenges in accessing funding and land opportunities.

Nyifamu highlights this disparity and urges for change. Furthermore, Nyifamu calls for increased support and funding for women in agriculture and smallholderfarmers from older generations and key stakeholders. Recognizing that without support, these individuals will not be able to implement their solutions effectively.

By addressing these issues, Nyifamu aims to create a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector in Nigeria. In addition to her work in the agricultural sector, Nyifamu also underlines the importance of building trust in pursuing profit. She suggests that when people are at the center of a company’s operations, trust is established, leading to increased profits.

This approach aligns with the objective of creating a mutually beneficial relationship between farmers and companies. Furthermore, Nyifamu advocates for the inclusion of young people in politics. She notes that the “Not-too-young-to-run” campaign in Nigeria has resulted in a 9.2% increase in young people being involved in the government.

By giving youth a voice in decision-making positions, trust in the government is improved. This inclusion of young individuals facilitates discussions on important issues and helps shape effective policies. In conclusion, Nyifamu Manzo’s work through her company Pharmatrix is revolutionizing the agricultural sector in Nigeria.

By leveraging technology to connect farmers with markets and reduce food service loss, she is addressing pressing challenges in the sector. Nyifamu’s emphasis on agriculture as a business and her call for increased support and funding for women in agriculture and smallholderfarmers highlights her commitment to inclusivity and sustainable development.

Additionally, her focus on building trust in pursuing profit and advocating for the involvement of young people in politics demonstrates her dedication to improving leadership and governance.

Arguments

Racial equity and inclusion are profitable

Supporting facts:

• Innovation increased by 20%

• Margins grew

• Employee satisfaction improved

Topics: Profitability, Racial equity, Inclusion

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Racial equity and inclusion were not focused on when they were not profitable

Supporting facts:

• Historic examples of genocide in Canada when Indigenous people were in the way of progression

Topics: Racial equity, Inclusion, Profitability

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The current model of profit-driven business needs to be revisited.

Supporting facts:

• The business model has brought many out of poverty but also destroyed the environment and created numerous crises.

• Shareholders can still have their return while businesses center people.

Topics: profit motive, business model, shareholders

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Robert Beamish’s questions were heard but he feels they were not truly listened to and understood.

Supporting facts:

• Robert Beamish indicates that he has had the experience of his questions being passed over or not properly addressed.

• Robert Beamish asked questions about making meaningful change and centering people in processes.

Topics: Active Listening, Communication

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Report

The analysis explores multiple viewpoints on the relationship between profit, racial equity, inclusion, and people-centered business models. One viewpoint argues that racial equity and inclusion are profitable, citing increased innovation, improved margins, and higher employee satisfaction as evidence. This suggests that companies that prioritise racial equity and inclusion can reap financial benefits while also promoting social progress.

However, another viewpoint highlights a historical lack of focus on racial equity and inclusion when they were not considered profitable. The argument implies that these issues were overlooked or ignored until businesses realised their financial potential. This raises important questions about the ethical responsibility of businesses and the need to prioritise societal well-being over profit.

There is also a negative stance that argues profit should not be prioritised over people. It points to a humanitarian crisis in Palestine and instances where people were marginalised for the sake of profit. These examples showcase the detrimental impact that a profit-driven approach can have on human lives and well-being.

Another viewpoint suggests that the current profit-driven business model needs to be revisited. While acknowledging that the model has alleviated poverty for many, it also emphasises the negative consequences, such as environmental destruction and the creation of numerous crises. The argument proposes the need for a new approach that centres around people, rather than solely focusing on profit.

Contrastingly, a positive perspective argues that business success can be achieved without undermining inclusion or sustainability. The viewpoint supports the idea that businesses can commit to shareholder value while also centring people, promoting inclusion, and prioritising sustainability. It underscores the potential for profit and societal progress to coexist harmoniously.

The analysis also recognises the concerns raised by Robert Beamish, who expresses dissatisfaction with executives avoiding challenging questions and not truly listening to underlying messages. This observation highlights the importance of effective communication and active listening in decision-making processes. In conclusion, the analysis highlights the interplay between profit, racial equity, inclusion, and people-centred business models.

It showcases differing perspectives on their relationship, ranging from arguments that profit can align with equity and inclusion to arguments that caution against prioritising profit over people. The analysis also raises important ethical considerations and emphasises the need to revisit the current profit-driven business model.

Overall, it underscores the potential for businesses to achieve success while promoting societal progress, inclusion, and sustainability.

Arguments

Saisha outlines Partner With Purpose

Supporting facts:

• Partner With Purpose connects companies with values to underserved nonprofits

• A global shapers community that helps identify these local nonprofits

• This provides an opportunity for authentic, credible impact stories

Topics: Social impact, NGOs, Corporate Responsibility

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The importance of delivering authentic, credible corporate impact is emphasized

Supporting facts:

• 53% of customers, shareholders, and more importantly, employees regard this as important

• Gen Z and millennials, representing a large future block of potential customers, workers, and investors, have an 8-second attention span

• Successful engagement with these demographics will require authenticity

Topics: Corporate impact, Gen Z, Millennials

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Trust is an ongoing process of giving and earning, not a zero-sum thing

Topics: Trust, Business, Governments, Institutions

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Young people don’t believe that government and institutions’ words are lining up with their behavior

Topics: Government Trust, Institutional Trust, Youth Perception

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Trust in businesses is dependent on capabilities and character

Topics: Trust in business, Capabilities, Character

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Businesses have stayed trustworthy because of their capability to deliver outcomes

Topics: Business Trust, Capability

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Doubt about businesses arises when questioning the character of companies

Topics: Business Trust, Character

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Companies should aim to align their actions with their stated values

Topics: Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility

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Employees have renegotiated their relationship with the workplace

Supporting facts:

• Employees can communicate globally in a second about their workplace experiences

• The pandemic has especially influenced young people’s perception of their role in the workplace

Topics: Work-life balance, Employee-Employer relationship

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People advocating for change need to understand and work within existing corporate structures

Supporting facts:

• Schism observed between people in the nonprofit space and business leaders, with a misunderstanding of priorities and operation on both ends.

• People need to work with existing structures for meaningful change

Topics: Corporate Social Responsibility, Advocacy, Change Management

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Good corporate social initiatives can make substantial differences in local communities

Supporting facts:

• Instance of McKinsey’s work with GrowNYC to provide warehousing support to smallholder farmers in New York

• The initiative aids 260 food insecure community-based organizations in New York

Topics: Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Development, Food Security

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Taking employees’ passions seriously can boost corporate social responsibility efforts

Supporting facts:

• Example where McKinsey’s social impact team re-evaluated their approach, empowered its workers and adapted its social responsibility agenda based on an employees’ input

• It resulted in a beneficial partnership with GrowNYC

Topics: Employee Engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility

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Report

The analysis emphasises the importance of delivering authentic and credible corporate impact. Partner With Purpose is highlighted as a platform that connects companies with underserved nonprofits, allowing them to create impact stories aligned with their values. Businesses are encouraged to step up as responsible community members, as trust in governments and institutions among young people has declined.

While businesses are recognised for their competence, doubt can arise regarding their character, making it essential for companies to align their actions with their stated values to build trust. Trust in business is dependent on capabilities and character. Companies must also earn the trust of their employees, as the pandemic has influenced their perception of the workplace.

Advocates for change should work within existing corporate structures for meaningful impact, bridging the gap between the nonprofit space and business leaders. Corporate social initiatives, such as McKinsey’s work with GrowNYC in supporting food insecure community-based organisations, demonstrate the positive impact businesses can have on local communities.

Taking employees’ passions seriously can enhance corporate social responsibility efforts. It is crucial to provide meaningful and authentic engagement opportunities to young people to address issues such as education and inequality. Overall, delivering authentic and credible corporate impact is essential for businesses to make a positive difference in society.