Next Generation: a global British Council research series focusing on young people.
We believe it is important to listen to and engage with young people, as they will become the next generation of influencers, leaders and shapers of their countries.
Yet, we recognise that they are not just the future – they are the present, and they have the capacity to create, contribute and make a difference today.
What is Next Generation?
The Next Generation research series examines the conditions that support young people in becoming creative, fulfilled and active citizens in their countries.
To do so, the reports look at young people’s views on:
- education, employment, lifestyle and their hopes and fears for their country
- their degree of international engagement and opinions on the wider world
- and the values and beliefs that affect their lives.
The Next Generation programme is part of the British Council’s commitment to exploring youth voice and choice. It aims to understand youth attitudes and aspirations, amplify youth voice and support better youth policy-making.
Next Generation report countries
The reports focus on young people in countries experiencing a period of significant change.
They look at how this change affects young people’s view of themselves and their place in the world. They also ensure that young people’s voices are heard and their interests represented in decisions that will have lasting implications for their lives.
We launched the first Next Generation report, about Pakistan, in 2009. Since then we have published reports on a number of other countries and we are currently doing research for several more.
Research methodology and recommendations
The Next Generation series uses a mixed-methodology approach to gathering data. The methodology and sample size vary slightly between countries and are detailed in each report. Next Generation reports include:
- a desk-based literature review
- and a national survey with a diverse segment of the young population covering both urban and rural locations.
We also carry out additional interviews and focus group discussions. Each research project involves young people, either on an advisory board known as a Task Force, or in other ways.
Next Generation reports produce a series of recommendations supporting policy change.
Scroll down and click on the links below to view Next Generation reports.
See also the report and policy brief from our Youth, Voice and Development project in partnership with the University of Leeds (2022), which draws heavily on the Next Generation research portfolio.