Forum for the Future and UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) invited students aged 21 and under, resident in the UK and applying to universities and colleges in 2006, to complete a survey.

We asked them how they see themselves compared to their parents’ generation, what they think will make them happy and what they expect from the future.

We received 54,240 responses, making the Future Leaders Survey one of the largest ever surveys of its kind.

We discovered that this generation of future leaders:

• thinks of itself as more materialistic, more affected by crime and less healthy than its parents’ generation, and more worried about what the future holds;
• thinks the effects of climate change will be hitting hard by 2031;
• and thinks inequality between rich countries and poor countries will grow.

But the overall message is one of hope. The survey suggests a massive mandate for change: over three-quarters think that significant changes are needed now for civilisation to survive into the 22nd century.

Great expectations are placed on Government, business and changes in individual behaviour to cope with climate change and global inequity. And future leaders have begun to make the change themselves..