Beyond Words: Concrete actions for intergenerational equity in policy-making

Drawing on insights and lessons learned about today’s development paradigms and placing young people and future generations at the centre of the conversation, we ask ourselves, What’s next for the future of sustainable development? How can we harness collective intelligence through interactive, immersive, and sometimes unconventional ways and formats? How can we create safe spaces for youth, civil society, international organizations, academia, and the private sector to come together and explore emerging insights, ideas, trends, and concepts that "go beyond" conventional sustainability and toward a hopeful and trusting future?

At the upcoming 11th International Youth Conference (IYC11), under the theme “Better Future with Progressive and Forward-Thinking Youth for Positive Change, the Beyond Lab at UN Geneva and its institutional partner the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), will unpack these questions, and showcase concrete initiatives and examples of inclusive and meaningful participation of youth in policy-making processes. The event will specifically dive into two main initiatives:

1. The Beyonds Challenge: This initiative, designed by the Beyond Lab at UN Geneva in partnership with IISD and supported by the German government, encourages the public to provide personal interpretations and definitions of four key elements (the “Beyonds”) defining what a sustainable, socially owned, and aware future should look like, under formats such as traditional essays or short movies, sculpture or artistic performances, architectural designs or mathematical formulas, policy proposals or clothing lines, or more. These four elements, which emerged from years of multistakeholder consultations conducted by the Lab on key concepts to look for when reflecting upon the future of sustainable development beyond 2030 (hence the name “The Beyonds”), are: Regeneration; Constructive Hope; Debt to the Future; and the Great Unknowns. The challenge will be officially launched during the event at IYC11.
    
2. Youth Moving Beyond GDP: Launched in 2024 by the Beyond Lab, IISD, UN Trade and Development, and the student-movement Rethinking Economics International, the initiative gathered voices of more than 600 young people from more than 50 countries on key elements needed in a framework that complements or moves beyond GDP. Such insights were presented in several key multilateral dialogues and moments, such as the Summit of the Future at UN NY and the Beyond GDP What’s Next at UN Geneva, and have become instrumental in influencing the language and ambitions of the international community on reshaping economic systems and well-being. This session, developed in partnership with the International Development Research Centre, will also provide an overview of IISD's work with countries to estimate a beyond index on “Comprehensive Wealth” and efforts to improve capacities of educational institutions to advance efforts to move beyond GDP, developed in partnership with Rethinking Economics International.

Agenda and Speakers

Introduction to The Beyond Lab at UN Geneva: Vision, mission, and lenses
Jose Negrete, Beyond Lab

The Beyonds Challenge Launch
Davide Fanciulli, Beyond Lab

Crafting the Beyonds Mini-Interactive Workshop
Davide Fanciulli, Beyond Lab

Youth Moving Beyond GDP Initiative Presentation
Nathalie Delorme, Beyond Lab

Youth Moving Beyond GDP: Insights and reflections by participant/essay finalist
Maria Alejandra Perez, essay competition winner

Moving Beyond GDP Through Comprehensive Wealth
Livia Bizikova, IISD

Closing Remarks and Q&A
Davide Fanciulli, Beyond Lab