Intergenerational Town Hall, Sweden: My Unlock Coalition Conference Experience

In preparation for the Summit of the Future where Global Leaders meet to unite behind a strategy to deliver a ‘better present and safeguard the future’, Shared City Foundation and UN Foundation hosted an Intergenerational Town Hall in Sweden to engage in dialogue on youth-focused issues underpinning the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

I had the honour of attending the conference to represent The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award as a Gold Awardee. The discussions were insightful, thought-provoking, and to be frank, a little overwhelming. Key local and international figures from groups such as the Red Cross and the UN, youth representatives, and experts such as politicians and climate and human rights activists all spoke about the pressing issues our world faces today, particularly in relation to climate change, technological advancements (AI), and the future as we work towards the SDGs. Anja Olin-Pape from the Global Challenges Foundation kicked off the event with a powerful statement that resonated with me and those I spoke with during the break: ‘Today’s youth are not the leaders of the future; they are the leaders of today’. This sentiment echoed throughout the day as speaker after speaker emphasised the critical role that young people play in shaping the present and future.

Climate Change and Sustainability

Climate change and the UN’s SDGs dominated much of the conversation. Bitanya Kassaye, Youth Representative to the UN High-Level Political Forum and The National Council of Swedish Children and Youth Organizations (LSU), stressed the importance of developing clear strategies to meet these goals: ‘It is so important to discuss concrete strategies of how to reach our sustainability and development goals from the UN.’ The urgency of climate action was underscored by heartbreaking stories, such as the increasing prevalence of extreme weather events like forest fires we’ve seen in the US, and children in certain parts of the world suffering nosebleeds due to extreme heat conditions exacerbated by climate change. Swedish Politician Åsa Lidhagen, Minister for Gender Equality, Green Party, reflected on how this mounting environmental crisis has sapped the optimism of many young people, yet she states that she is ‘convinced that there is a better future ahead’, if we focus on the SDGs. This belief in a better future was tempered by the reality that climate change is causing irreversible damage to our planet. As we heard from a youth-representative of the Sámi people of Sweden, the importance of respecting indigenous knowledge was sharply brought to the forefront. Indigenous peoples, who have long observed and lived with nature, offer invaluable perspectives on how climate change is affecting wildlife and ecosystems as well as their culture and way of life. There is an urgent need to incorporate their voices into conversations about preservation, modernisation, and education.

The Role of Technology and AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) was another prominent – and perhaps inevitable – theme of the conference, both for its benefits and its risks. Many saw AI as a vital tool for improving efficiency within institutions, like the UN, and achieving global goals such as reducing poverty, particularly among the world’s 1.2 billion young people. AI also offers the potential to improve living conditions and job opportunities in low- and middle-income countries. Though we all recognise its potential, we must also heed the dangers it presence, reminiscent of those laid out in George Orwell’s ‘1984’. And as such, risks of data misuse, misinformation, and the ethical concerns surrounding AI’s role in society were also discussed at length. For instance, the ability to create AI-generated videos of politicians has already led to misinformation, showing that while AI can be used for good, it also poses challenges. One controversial topic discussed was the ethics of using DNA technology to modify embryos and select traits. While most speakers agreed that this was unethical, the conversation raised important questions about the fine line between scientific progress and moral responsibility; something we’ll no doubt continue to struggle with as AI enters wider society.

Youth Engagement and the Importance of Hope

 Ulrika Modéer from the Swedish Red Cross issued a strong call to action: ‘We should not accept excuses from countries and politicians as to why they are not working towards the sustainability and development goals.’ This statement highlights the urgency that permeated the entire event. We cannot afford to wait, and excuses are no longer valid in the face of environmental and social crises.

With all the grave topics discussed, you could be forgiven for feeling disheartened. From climate change to socioeconomic inequality exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the issues seemed immense and intimidating. While it is essential to discuss these critical topics and acknowledge their severity, I think that it is also crucial that we remain hopeful. The language we use matters. By framing discussions in a more encouraging way and providing solutions — like, if we act now, we can decrease the devastating effects of climate change — we can inspire action without scaring people into a fight, flight, freeze, state.

During the break, I had the chance to speak with some of the other attendees about how social media impacts young people today. On one hand, it serves as a powerful platform for mobilising and informing youth about important issues, but on the other hand, it can also contribute to anxiety and misinformation. We also discussed practical ways young people can make a difference in their own communities. There were a few examples of projects such as Håll Sverige Rent, a day/weekend where many Swedes spend time collecting litter. As the conversation turned to international examples, I mentioned a project started by a young person from a British Scouting Overseas group in Paris, called Collect the Whale. The goal of the challenge is to collect enough litter to weigh as much as a whale whilst also encouraging at least 250 other young people to take action. This simple, yet impactful project shows how young people can take control of environmental initiatives, helping them feel more involved in the broader sustainability movement. This project was complimented in the discussion by many representatives of the UN and local environmental activists as it is these efforts that are crucial in fostering a sense of agency among young people and encouraging them to take action in their own and international communities.

Looking Ahead

Representing The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award at this conference was an incredible experience. The discussions reinforced that while the issues we face are complex and multi-faceted, the global community is filled with passionate, intelligent individuals ready to tackle these challenges. Throughout the day, one message stood out: young people must be taken seriously and included in political conversations, but they cannot shoulder these enormous responsibilities alone. This occasion highlights, once again, the importance of creating intergenerational spaces to truly capture the perspectives of young people, who will inherit the responsibility of shaping the future. The Townhall fostered a shared sense of responsibility, ensuring that the wisdom of the past informs the innovation of the future.