Future Leaders Survey 2007/08
What's it like to be a young person today, knowing everything we do about what we're doing to the planet and its future?
Our survey, published today in conjunction with UCAS, provides an insight into the minds of a generation of future leaders. We asked all applicants to universities and colleges in the UK what they really think about the world, the future and our current host of leaders - and we got over 25,000 responses.
They told us that they're worried about climate change, they think the Amazon rainforest will soon be gone and that oil will be extortionately expensive. They also think significant change is needed if human civilisation is going to survive into the next century.
It's a pretty disheartening picture. But there's also lots here to be optimistic about. For a start, they're aware of the scale of challenge. Secondly, there's active support for radical measures and strong action - with 86% saying material consumption must decrease. And last, they're clear who they think is responsible for taking action - with government coming top of the list.
To see the results visit the Future Leaders Survey 2007/08 project page....
Comments
Hi
Did you have any positive findings? What makes this generation different ans unique than the previous?
I would like to know, as I read all kind of pessimistic reviews, but even not one that underline the beauty of us!!!
I made my own psychological survey also.
The Future Leaders Survey refers to leaders of all types: leaders of government, business, NGOs, communities; leaders at a local, national or international level; leading thinkers and entrepreneurs. Students applying to university today are likely to be taking up some of these positions 10 or 20 years hence - and to be facing tough leadership challenges in a world of constrained resources and a changing climate. One of the key parts of the survey is the questions about what these futures leaders feel the leaders of today should be doing to help them better prepare for these challenges.
And this perhaps (depending on your point of view) is where some of the most positive findings come in. Their expectations are high, and they’re looking first and foremost to government to toughen up the agenda. Our future leaders are in many cases ready for ‘choice editing’, even where the personal benefits are not so compelling. 66% think it would be good for all of us if 4x4s were banned from city centres. 41% think personal carbon quotas would be good for them personally, and nearly half (49%) think these would benefit society as a whole.
Continuing on the positives, 84% think it’s likely, or very likely, that human civilisation will last another century. But, perhaps reflecting their openness to legislatives changes, 78% of respondents believe that lifestyles need to change radically, or in many areas, for this survival to be assured.
Could you clarify for me what is meant by 'leaders' in your 'Future Leaders Survey'?
For example. Do you mean 'leader in their field' in the sense of say Jeremy Paxman from Newsnight, or 'leader' in relation to say the Controller of BBC Television? Or do you mean 'leader' in both senses?
Regards
Eugene
p.s. I am still in the process of building my own website so it is still very much 'work-in-progress'.
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