Learning from Youth

In my roles as Chair of the Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) and Nestlé’s Global Alliance for YOUth, I am privileged to interact closely with young people. Our goal is to integrate youth into the world of work, and to empower them with the skills they need to thrive.

Mentoring young people is important and satisfying work. But learning is reciprocal. And learning from young people can, and will, change us for the better. Let me share just two examples.

First: Young people have a special understanding of technology. The youth we work with are Digital Natives. They have been surrounded by technology, social media, mobile devices, computers and the internet for their entire lives. They are not just open to technology, they were born to it.

Young people have an intuitive grasp of the digital tools that are reshaping our economy and our society. Digital Immigrants, those who have learned new technologies at some stage in our adult lives (I am one: I held my first cell phone in my early 30s), need their help to teach us as we move towards the digitally transformed workplace of the future.

My second example: Young people have a special consciousness about sustainability. Entire generations were raised in the age of consumption, with the idea that the earth’s resources are infinite. The youth of today know that this is not true, unless we can fully restore natural cycles, regenerate soils, stop thinking in a linear fashion and embrace circularity. They have seen it happening. And since many young people today will still be alive in the 22nd Century, their perspectives and priorities are entirely unique.

This means that the youth can help transfer their perspective and deep understanding to previous generations, creating a higher consciousness of the sustainability imperative. And that is the key to making sure that the changes we are trying to make today actually happen. It is the only way we can make the common house which we call the future a better and more sustainable place to live.

Young people have inspired and changed me, and I know I am not alone. They are a force for good. With their exceptional awareness and understanding of technology and sustainability they are uniquely equipped to create the innovative solutions we need. With determination and optimism, they will drive a deep and profound transformation of business, society and humankind. We must listen and learn.

The power of youth is the common wealth for the entire world. The faces of young people are the faces of our past, our present and our future. No segment in the society can match with the power, idealism, enthusiasm and courage of the young people.

Kailash Satyarthi