In an era of unprecedented change, the challenges our world faces are becoming more complex and interconnected. The 43rd World Scout Conference hosted a pivotal panel discussion on “Future Trends in the World”, bringing together influential voices to dissect these challenges and explore the role of youth organisations in shaping the future.
The panel, which took place on 18 August, featured prominent figures, such as Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Kevin Frey, CEO of Generation Unlimited at UNICEF; Carlos Sanvee, Secretary General of the World YMCA; Chris Purifoy, CEO and Co-Founder of the Learning Economy Foundation; and Melissa El Feghali, a Youth Representative. The panel was facilitated by Nour Mohammed, Communications Intern of World Scouting.
Accelerated pace of change
By 2050, the world population is projected to reach 9.7 billion. Carlos Sanvee highlighted the rapidly changing global demographics noting that by 2064, a significant demographic shift is anticipated, where the number of deaths will surpass the number of births. He warned that this trend will present serious challenges to the renewal of humanity. Sanvee also pointed out the disparity between developing economies, which have a surplus of young talent, and aging societies that struggle with a shortage of skilled labour. This split presents, he emphasised, an opportunity for youth organisations to play a crucial role in bridging this gap by equipping young people with skills that cannot be easily replicated by artificial intelligence (AI).
“AI will not take away our values,” Sanvee said, adding that “the uniqueness of Scouting, YMCA, and all the Big Six is in our values, rooted in a value-based education that AI cannot replace. There is a future for these organisations, but we must adapt to these new realities”.
A digital and green future
Kevin Frey spoke about the twin transitions that will shape the lives of young people: the digital and green transitions. He pointed out that while 80 million so-called “brown” jobs – those tied to traditional, carbon-intensive industries – will disappear in the coming years, 90 million more “green” jobs will be created. Frey urged young people to seize these opportunities and emphasised the importance of digital skills in the future workforce.
“Young people are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the AI revolution,” Frey stated. “This moment is a huge productivity and efficiency driver, and those who scale up quickly on AI will be the labour force of the future”.
Chris Purifoy echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of continuous innovation. He argued that while digital technology is not a magic bullet, it provides unprecedented access to skills development. “Learning happens everywhere … and no one knows this better than the Scouts,” Purifoy said. “Human skills – creativity, teamwork – are the ones that will truly change the world”.
The role of youth in a challenging world
Her Excellency Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, highlighted the critical role of youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She underscored the importance of youth participation in every aspect of governance and development. “Youth are the biggest asset in our economies,” Al-Mashat affirmed. “In a world prone to crises, it is essential that youth everywhere are actively involved in shaping the future.”
Melissa El Feghali brought a personal perspective to the discussion, reflecting on the mental health challenges that young people face in the modern world. She spoke about the pressures of urbanisation and the struggle to maintain a connection to cultural roots amid rapid societal changes. “Urbanisation provides positive opportunities,” she said, “but it also presents serious challenges to our well-being, our sense of identity, and our quality of life”.
El Feghali concluded with a call to action for youth organisations like Scouting to transform challenges into opportunities. “We have the tools, the energy, and the creativity to reshape our cities and communities. Youth organisations can be the bridge between people and decision-makers, turning urban areas into spaces we can proudly call our own”.
