Are young people silent observers of global affairs, or are they already reshaping the world in quiet, powerful ways? Izzah Meyer draws on the British Council’s Next Generation research to explore a generation that is more connected, more cooperative, and more globally minded than ever before.
‘Even if it doesn’t go anywhere… I’ve raised my voice to the world.’ - Respondent, An Najaf, Iraq
Young people aren’t waiting for a podium, a microphone, or formal spaces to be heard. With just a phone and an internet connection, they are taking matters into their own hands.
This spirit sits at the heart of a quiet transformation taking place across the world. Young people may not use the language of multilateralism - the idea that global challenges require cooperation across countries, communities, and institutions - and in some cases, they may not even be aware of the term, but through their actions, they are already living it. This insight sits at the heart of the British Council’s Next Generation research, a series that explores the attitudes, aspirations, and experiences of young people globally.
Since its launch in 2009, the Next Generation research has reached over 50,000 young people aged 18 to 30 across more than 20 countries, giving them a platform to share their voices and be heard.
As we mark UN International Youth Day on 12 August, the world grapples with global challenges like climate change, inequality, and fragile geopolitics. Our research confirms that the theme this year – ‘Youth advancing multilateral cooperation through technology and partnerships’ – could not be more timely.
Young people are already thinking beyond borders
Our most recent Next Generation research in Bangladesh, Iraq, and the UK shows just how deeply young people are leaning into the global moment. Across very different national contexts, a common thread of a generation looking outwards emerges.
In the UK, 81 per cent of young people believe it is important to maintain positive international relationships, and over 70 per cent would consider moving abroad for better prospects. In Bangladesh, more than half of the young people surveyed say they would migrate for economic opportunity. In Iraq, a strong interest in learning English and global news reflects a desire to engage with the wider world.
This outward gaze isn’t just about migration. It is about connection. Young people understand, instinctively, that the crises they face don’t respect borders. Climate change. Misinformation. Social injustice. These are global challenges, and they require collective action.
‘With technology changing how we work, it’s crucial to be able to share ideas and work well with others.’ – Respondent, Ninawa, Iraq
Expression without influence
Yet even as young people think globally, they often feel unheard locally, particularly within the more traditional or formal spaces of decision-making and political debate.
‘We haven’t got any routes to make things happen. All we can really do is sign petitions.’ – Respondent, Wales, UK
‘Taking part in this election means being part of a corrupt system.’ – Respondent, As Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
‘Young people make up a majority of the population in Bangladesh, yet they are woefully underrepresented in decision-making.’ – Respondent, Sylhet, Bangladesh
From city to village, East to West, a similar frustration echoes: ‘we care, but we’re sidelined’. This gap between awareness and the ability to make change is not just a political problem; it is a missed opportunity. Young people are global citizens in spirit; we need to support them in becoming global actors in practice.
Digital tools, real change
What do you do when traditional systems don’t hear you? You build your own, and that is exactly what young people are doing. Digital platforms have become powerful arenas for youth engagement and political discourse. While trust in these spaces is mixed, usage is soaring.
Our Next Generation research shows that in the UK, 61 per cent of young people surveyed get their news from platforms like TikTok and X/Twitter, even though only 38 per cent trust them. In Iraq, 79 per cent of the population is online, with social media as the top news source for 64 per cent of young people. In Bangladesh, two-thirds of the Next Generation respondents use social media to speak out on issues they care about.
These platforms aren’t perfect, but they’re accessible. They allow for self-expression, activism, and community-building across oceans and ideologies.
‘Social media lets us add our own opinions while watching news. That’s why it attracts more youth than traditional media.’ – Respondent, Rangpur, Bangladesh
‘I think nowadays; there are many people active on social media and Instagram and Facebook, recently TikTok, [they] are all places where you can express your feeling and your concerns.’ - Respondent, An Najaf, Iraq.
These aren’t just comments. They’re signals. Of a generation finding ways to connect, mobilise, and shape narratives on their terms.
So, what next?
If we want to include young people in shaping global decisions that affect them, we must go beyond rhetoric. Drawing on the youth-led policy recommendations that are a feature of each Next Generation report, here are some ideas how:
• Build youth councils and advisory boards inside national governments and international institutions.
• Invest in digital exchange platforms that allow cross-border collaborations, from virtual internships to global forums.
• Expand civic and global education, including policy literacy, digital skills, and cross-cultural communication.
• Foster partnerships across governments, NGOs, tech platforms, and youth organisations to co-design solutions.
• Create intentional spaces where youth don’t just participate, they lead.
This isn’t just about giving young people a voice; they already have one! This is about making sure that voice is heard. That means creating space, choosing to listen, and most importantly, acting alongside them. This approach is at the heart of all our Next Generation research - from past studies to upcoming reports from Kazakhstan and Brazil, and new work now underway in Thailand. Each study works closely with a Youth Task Force, ensuring young people are not only included but also actively shaping the process by generating youth-led solutions and strengthening multilateral cooperation in the process.
The future is already being written
The extensive body of Next Generation research conducted to date makes one thing undeniable: young people aren’t waiting for permission to engage with their peers internationally. They’re already building digital bridges, organising around global issues, and finding community across continents.
The question is no longer if young people can shape the future; it is how we can empower and support them to do so.
The next chapter of global collaboration is already being written, and young people are holding the (digital) pen.