News & Trends
What Do Young People Expect from Switzerland?
THE YOUTH OF SWITZERLAND PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE in shaping the country’s future. Their voice is therefore one of the most important in the debate on the challenges and opportunities of our time.
Young people have high expectations regarding social justice, sustainability and education — and at the same time take responsibility for their future. But who exactly is Switzerland’s youth?
They are 15 to 29 years old, well educated, multicultural and tech-savvy. Switzerland has about 1.3 million young people. They are the ones who will be tackling the challenges in the coming decades. The priority topics are climate change, an ageing population and mental health. So they must come together as a society to solve the complex problems of their time, while at the same time bearing their individual characteristics and life goals in mind.
This is already happening in the Future Council U24, where 80 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 living in Switzerland who were randomly selected are working together to develop solutions. Remo Spichtig, Sarah Modisch and Neelima Khan were part of this.
What Do Young People Expect?
Generations Z (born between 1995 and 2010) and Alpha (born between 2010 and 2025) do no longer accept anything as being irreversible but are willing to tackle things. The following ranking shows the expectations and challenges on key youth issues.
I want a safe
Sarah Modisch
and peaceful
future.
23 years old
management assistant, attends vocational college
«The COVID-19 crisis and current wars have led to great division and fear in our society. Added to this is the major environmental crisis, which does not seem to be getting any smaller. All of these factors, and many more besides, suggest to me that it will not get any easier. I want a safe and peaceful future for all of us. That we work and grow together as a society instead of working against each other. I see the biggest challenge in reconciling the many problems, the huge responsibility and our dreams — and still leading a healthy life.»
Democratic
Remo Spichtig
principles must
be upheld.
25 years old
computer scientist and mathematics student
at ETH Zurich
«The Cambridge Analytica case has shown that data can be misused for political purposes. It is essential for us in Switzerland to ensure that our democratic principles are also observed in the era of social media. Another opportunity and challenge I see is the interaction between the new generation and the world of work as it is today. One boss in particular sticks in my mind as a good role model. He addressed the staff personally, listened to them and was then able to employ them according to their strengths. More and more young people today prefer to work on socially relevant and innovative projects instead of chasing the job with the highest salary.»
Switzerland
Neelima Khan
should become
a think tank
for young,
creative minds.
21 years old
law student at the University of Neuchâtel
«I envisage living in a Switzerland characterised by undeniable progress in innovation, sustainability and technology. A home country where everyone, regardless of background or origin, can aspire to a promising and fulfilling future. From this perspective, I see a Switzerland that invests massively in education and vocational training. I am a firm believer in diversity and inclusion — values that are at the heart of Swiss identity. As a young Swiss citizen, I am convinced that our country is well placed to meet the challenges of tomorrow and to play a pivotal role in building a better world.»
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