As the world slowly emerges from the devastating Financial Crisis, it is time to reflect on the lessons of this turbulent period and think afresh about how to prevent future crises. The Oxford Martin Commission for Future Generations focuses on the increasing short-termism of modern politics and our collective inability to break the gridlock which undermines attempts to address the biggest challenges that will shape our future. In Now for the Long Term, we urge decision-makers to overcome their pressing daily preoccupations to tackle problems that will determine the lives of today’s and tomorrow’s generations.
Part C, Practical Futures, contains the Commission’s Agenda for the Long Term. It is arranged around five principles, with practical examples proposed to illustrate each principle.
The fourth principle is:
Invest in Younger Generations:
Greater attention should be given to promoting a more inclusive and empowered society, particularly for younger generations. Two priorities should be:
• Attack Poverty at its Source: break the intergenerational cycle of poverty through social protection measures such as conditional cash transfer programmes.
• A Future for Youth: countries should invest in youth guarantees to address unemployment and underemployment.
