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Instability at the international and national level
Much of the discussion centered around the declining influence of the US and continuing tensions with China. Participants expect smaller countries — particularly in Asia and Africa — to rise in prominence, especially if they handle the pandemic well.
Many also discussed the potential for instability within countries. They see high unemployment rates and deep recessions fueling nationalistic sentiments and bolstering authoritarianism. They anticipate a sharp decline in immigration, with worrying implications for refugees and labor mobility.
Meanwhile, some participants expressed optimism about global collaboration on vaccine development and distribution.
Focused on international institutions
Gen Z participants were divided in their views on the future role of international institutions like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN). While some expect the influence of these institutions to grow because of their role in addressing the pandemic, others feel that disinformation has permanently undermined trust in these institutions. This topic did not feature as prominently in the previous ideation jam, potentially because this cohort is comprised mainly of college students, who tend to be more idealistic and vested in the role of international institutions.
Indeed, the consensus among Gen Z participants was that a mammoth and complex global crisis requires global cooperation and greater participation of international institutions. So far, policy responses and measures led by national governments have varied greatly. As we continue to see a new wave of infections during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, this seems unlikely to change.
In science we trust
Gen Z participants uniformly expressed disappointment in leaders’ actions to safeguard public health. They were critical of the lack of data-driven, science-based decision-making with most leaders focused on their political agendas instead.
Almost unanimously, Gen Z participants said that if they were in charge, they would prioritize science and technology to tackle the pandemic. They would be more proactive, issuing mandatory mask wearing and driving global cooperation on vaccine development and distribution. Given that this generation has grown up entirely in the internet age, it is perhaps expected that they lean so heavily on data, science and technology as the main tools for combating the pandemic.