Our Future Agenda | Unlocking the Power of Next and Future Generations

The United Nations at 80

October 24, 2025 // 9:00 AM ET

Join an intergenerational webinar marking 80 years of the United Nations. This one-hour dialogue will feature young changemakers and lifelong global servants reflecting on the UN’s journey and imagining its role in the decades ahead.

Through personal testimonies, creative expression, and interactive discussion, the event will explore what the UN has meant to people around the world and invite participants to share their own hopes for the future.

Ethiopia

On November 16, 2024, the African Union Chairperson’s Youth Envoy, Ms Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, supported by the United Nations Foundation, the World Economic Forum and Global Shapers will convene a High-Level Ministerial Youth Town Hall titled: “Multilateral Governance: Reigniting Youth Leadership for Today and the Future.” The Town Hall will spotlight Africa’s Panel of the Future, highlighting the need to transform multilateralism, placing youth leadership at the center, including the priorities of African young people to be integrated into future policies. The discussions will enable views from young people, ministers, policy makers, heads of state and stakeholders across various sectors.

Plastic Pollution INC-5/Republic of Korea

This Town Hall aligns with the Youth and Stakeholder Assembly on Plastic Pollution, taking place on November 24 in Busan, Republic of Korea. This strategic gathering will bring together youth voices and diverse stakeholders, providing an intergenerational platform for coordinating and amplifying advocacy efforts for a plastics free future.

Find out more about Plastic Pollution INC-5

Costa Rica

The Intergenerational Peace Conference of San José will focus on engaging participants in an interactive and intergenerational dialogue, presenting solutions and good practices to advance the commitments from the Future Summit. The event will take place on December 10, International Human Rights Day, and follows the 76th anniversary of the abolition of the Army in Costa Rica.

USA/Mexico

This Town Hall, organized by the UCSD Design Lab, UN Foundation, World Design Capital, YMCA of San Diego County, and YMCA of the USA will engage an intergenerational, binational audience to capture perspectives on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. A series of events are taking place in the region between September and November 2024, and a culminating Town Hall will be held on December 7.

More: Invitation, Survey

Survey

Poland

This Town Hall will take place alongside the 2024 European Scout and Guide Academy, a unique event designed to provide participants with high quality training and networking opportunities around the core priorities of the WAGGGS and WOSM European Regions.

South Africa

This Intergenerational Dialogue, co-hosted by the UN Foundation, YMCA South Africa, Engage South Africa, and the Leading Like Mandela Institute, will take place at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 30, 2024. This event is structured around six critical and forward-thinking dialogue themes, which will be led by an intergenerational pair of facilitators.

Spain

This Town Hall, organized by the Federación Española de Guidismo, took place on October 19-20, 2024 as part of the organization’s 40th anniversary. Around 100 young leaders and subject matter experts gathered in El Escorial, just outside of Madrid, to discuss and amplify the visions of the local communities across Spain regarding the Sustainable Development Goals.

African Union

On September 27, 2024, the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), in collaboration with the African Union Chairperson’s Special Envoy on Youth (AU OYE) and BBC Africa, gathered 12 Young Africans alongside UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed to engage on the Future of Africa. During this Town Hall Discussion, which occurred on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, young people provided their perspectives on pressing issues and offered solutions to promote growth, prosperity and a sustainable future across the continent. Among them were members of the newly launched Africa’s Panel of the Future, supported by the UN Foundation, who engaged in a reflective discussion on the critical role African youth play in addressing the climate crisis and shaping global governance.

In the Press: The Herald; AllAfrica; Lerenifleur224; TheObserver; SpikedMedia; Bambouguinee.com; Pan African Visions; Spiked Media (Intl Girl Day); sportywaynewsnet; gemnation

Sweden

On September 11, 2024, Shared City Foundation, in collaboration with the UN Foundation, hosted “För en bättre framtid” (For a Better Future), a Town Hall centered on promoting global cooperation for a better future. The discussions addressed a range of global challenges such as poverty, hunger, education, health, climate change, and peace. The Town Hall gathered participants across generational boundaries and diverse sectors, exploring how Sweden can face the great challenges of our time with courage, hope, and purposeful action.

Blog

Sierra Leone

On August 27, 2024, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, in partnership with Purposeful and the United Nations Foundation, hosted various stakeholders to discuss the future of peace and national cohesion in Sierra Leone. The event aligned with a historic milestone for Sierra Leone, as it was elected to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the period of 2024-2025.

Livestream

Mexico

The Intergenerational Assembly: Building a Collective Vision For The Future, hosted by Enseña por México, took place in Tlatelolco, Mexico City on August 29, 2024, where 150 children, youth, policymakers, educators, and experts gathered to envision a future where Mexico had the opportunity, support, and sustainability to thrive. The town hall focused on key issues for the country such as intergenerational justice, youth activism, climate action, peace and security, global governance, youth and education, sustainable development and technological innovation. This event provided a platform for strengthening a community of changemakers from every generation who are passionate about empowering young leaders and driving sustainable change.

Report

Egypt

From August 17-23, 2024, Scout leaders from 176 Member Organizations participated in three International Town Hall sessions. These sessions were organized in collaboration with the UN Foundation at the 43rd World Scout Conference in Cairo, Egypt, engaging over 1,500 delegates from 174 countries. Seasoned decision-makers, young leaders, and attendees committed to making a positive impact in their communities were invited to share their expertise, including 18 speakers and government officials from both the Global North and South who used the platforms to address key issues shaping the future.

Coverage:

Leaders of the present and future to meet for a pivotal intergenerational town hall. Read…

UN Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed highlights Scouts as key leaders in tackling global challenges, praises World Scouting’s role in youth empowerment. Read…

In the News

Brazil

The Brazil Futures Town Hall was hosted by Observatorio Internacional da Juventude in partnership with the Igarapé Institute on August 16, 2024. The event, which occurred in Rio de Janeiro in alignment with the Rio de Janeiro World Capital campaign, gathered approximately 60 young activists, peace promoters, and representatives from youth organizations committed to promoting peace. It facilitated open dialogue and generated recommendations for international forums on key issues, including food security and food systems, constitutional rights for intergenerational justice, energy transition, and climate security.

In the Press: Diariodorio

In the News

India

On the International Youth Day, August 12, 2024, over 200 students, policymakers, diplomats and social influencers came together to discuss India’s future at Youth Sabha 2047 in New Delhi. The event, co-hosted by the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW) and the United Nations Foundation, included diverse panel discussions, fireside chats, and in-depth breakout sessions focused on cities, health, oceans, food, and energy. Prominent speakers included the UN Resident Coordinator Mr Shombi Sharp, UNSG’s SDG Advocate Ms Dia Mirza, and Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, among others.

In the press: Mint, Economic Times, The Print, NDTV, Telegraph India.

Watch

Indonesia

The Unlock coalition hosted a two-part intergenerational town hall in Indonesia, focusing on the theme “Standing Strong with Girls and Youth in Indonesia Towards 2100 Vision.” The first event, held on July 30 in partnership with Plan International, emphasized youth empowerment and included insights from UNDP’s SDG Push Diagnostics and Signals Spotlight platforms into discussions. The second town hall, held on September 7 in Jakarta, attracted hundreds of participants and featured youth activists alongside high-level representatives from the Ministry for Human Development and Culture and UN Women Indonesia.

Report

USA

On June 2, 2024, UNA-USA hosted an Intergenerational Town Hall as part of their 2024 Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Each year, the summit brings together over 250 activists, and during this year’s Town Hall sessions, intergenerational Americans shared their ideas for what the United States, and the world, should look like by 2100. They shared bold visions that reflect a deep commitment to the principles of justice, equity, and sustainability.

Unlocking the Power of Next and Future Generations

Our Future Agenda is a United Nations Foundation program dedicated to putting young people – especially from young countries in Africa and Asia – at the heart of global decision-making and solving the world’s biggest challenges.

Elevating young people in global decision-making

Today’s young people are inheriting global crises they did not create, from climate emergencies to economic inequalities. By 2100, 80% of the world’s young population will live in Africa and Asia—regions already confronting the consequences of global inaction to tackle humanity’s biggest challenges. Yet their voices remain underrepresented and often unheard in global governance.

Our Future Agenda exists to change that. By placing young people at the center of global problem-solving, we ensure their ideas and insights shape the policies and decisions impacting their lives. Through intergenerational action and dialogue, we unlock opportunities for young leaders to drive change on the world stage.

When young people are supported, everyone benefits. They bring bold solutions and new ideas vital for tackling global challenges. Our Future Agenda harnesses this energy to bridge the gap between generations, working with and for young people to ensure they have a say in global decisions that impact their lives and future.

Our Work

Through the key initiatives below, we’re paving the way for young people to lead on issues that affect their lives and futures. Every project is grounded in a commitment to empower young leaders, break down barriers, and drive impactful change worldwide.

Intergenerational Mobilization

We host coalitions that unite young people and global leaders, creating powerful partnerships for long-term impact. The Unlock the Future coalition unites the world’s largest youth and child-focused organizations to deliver on the SDGs and explore a world beyond 2030. The Impact Coalition is a global platform to embed long-term, intergenerational thinking into global governance, ensuring today’s actions prioritize the wellbeing of future generations.

Unlock The Future

ImPACT Coalition

Young Leadership

To truly influence global decisions, young people need spaces to lead. Through initiatives such as our Next Generation Fellows and the Engine Room for the Future – an open, unbranded youth-led platform on Discord – we directly empower young changemakers with the tools, platforms, and opportunities to reimagine how the United Nations thinks, plans and acts for the future.

Next Generation Fellows

Engine Room

Initiatives

Our targeted initiatives like the Funders Collective and Story Lab to help shift resources, mindsets, and narratives around youth-led change. By investing strategically and communicating powerfully, we ensure young people’s ideas translate into real-world impact.

Funders Collective

Story Lab

Our Impact

Our Future Agenda’s impact spans continents, mobilizing young people voices and creating tangible change. By building pathways for young people engagement, we’re ensuring that the perspectives of young leaders are at the heart of global decision-making.

Young people’s organizations worldwide united through the Unlock the Future coalition

Over a billion people reached worldwide through the Unlock the Future coalition

Intergenerational town halls engaging communities worldwide, from Brazil to Sierra Leone

Young people reached globally through the Engine Room digital platform and campaigns.

Participants actively shaping policy through intergenerational town halls and forums.

Latest News

Stay informed with the latest updates from Our Future Agenda, including news on our initiatives, events, and partnerships that are driving global change.

The United Nations at 80

October 24 | 9:00 AM

Be part of our intergenerational webinar marking 80 years of the United Nations to reflect on its journey and explore its role in the decades ahead.

Future of Africa

Podcast Out Now

The Future of Africa podcast is a new limited series exploring Africa’s future through the perspectives of young African leaders. Through weekly intergenerational conversations with innovative young changemakers and renowned global leaders, the series tackles the global challenges and opportunities shaping the world today — and Africa tomorrow.

Listen Now

The Economy Reboot

What if you Could Hack the Economy?

The Economy Reboot is a new animated series that asks what would happen if we hacked the economy. Join the launch to hear from young thinkers and global experts solving real problems with tech, creativity, and SDG action.

Find out more

Next Generation Fellows

Meet the New Cohort!

Seven exceptional young leaders from six continents. Over the next two years, they will champion intergenerational governance, multilateral renewal, and global solutions to tackle global challenges for both next and future generations.

Meet the Fellows!

Our Future India

What is your Vision for India's Future?

Our Future India is a campaign led by the Next Generation India Fellows to place the voices of young people at the heart of India’s role in a rapidly changing world.

Dive in

Engine Room 2025

Are you ready to shape the future?

Are you ready to shape the future?

The Engine Room for the Future is a global digital platform where young people connect across borders to co-create bold solutions.

Find out more

The United Nations at 80

October 24, 2025 // 9:00 AM ET

Ethiopia

Plastic Pollution INC-5/Republic of Korea

Costa Rica

USA/Mexico

Poland

South Africa

Spain

African Union

Sweden

Sierra Leone

Mexico

Egypt

Brazil

India

Indonesia

USA

Unlocking the Power of Next and Future Generations

Elevating young people in global decision-making

Our Work

Intergenerational Mobilization

Young Leadership

Initiatives

Our Impact

Young people’s organizations worldwide united through the Unlock the Future coalition

Over a billion people reached worldwide through the Unlock the Future coalition

Intergenerational town halls engaging communities worldwide, from Brazil to Sierra Leone

Young people reached globally through the Engine Room digital platform and campaigns.

Participants actively shaping policy through intergenerational town halls and forums.

Latest News

The United Nations at 80

October 24 | 9:00 AM

Future of Africa

Podcast Out Now

The Economy Reboot

What if you Could Hack the Economy?

Next Generation Fellows

Meet the New Cohort!

Our Future India

What is your Vision for India's Future?

Engine Room 2025

Are you ready to shape the future?

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