Intergenerational Fairness: Hopeful Futures

Intergenerational Fairness: Hopeful Futures

On September 27, 2024, thirty students from the University of Canterbury’s Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability and Political Science gathered for the Intergenerational Fairness Hopeful Futures workshop. The event, run by Think Beyond, aimed to explore intergenerational fairness in Ōtautahi Christchurch and envision a hopeful future for the city.

Considering realities for today and tomorrow

The workshop kicked off by introducing intergenerational fairness and unbounded futures, highlighting how past, present, and future are interconnected. Participants were asked to consider the Māori whakatauki “Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua” (I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past) as a key perspective for the discussion.

Using causal layered analysis (CLA), the group examined current intergenerational perspectives in Christchurch. Metaphors like “shiny and slimy” and “100% polluted, 0% pure” were shared, suggesting that while the city might look good on the surface after the earthquake, deeper issues remain. The overall outlook wasn’t particularly bright, with participants pointing out problems such as short-term thinking, low government priority, and older generations resisting change.

To shift gears towards a more positive future, students imagined life for their grandchildren’s generation in Ōtautahi Christchurch. New metaphors emerged, including “guided by the river’s voice” and “braided pathways.” These led to hopeful headlines like “Schools of children enjoy swimming with schools of fish” and “We are one, but we are many,” helping to paint a picture of a fairer city across generations.

The workshop then zeroed in on “pockets of promise” – existing initiatives that align with their desired futures.

Participants brainstormed actions that could be taken at individual, organisational, and governmental levels between now and 2050 to promote intergenerational fairness.

Brainstormed ideas were also categorised as something to keep, stop and start. These can later be categorised to create a Three Horizons diagram, as shown below. The Three Horizons framework maps out the journey from the current situation to the transformed future. This involved:

  • Boosting pockets of promise
  • Implementing transformative innovations
  • Phasing out practices that no longer benefit the city
  • Identifying and preserving positive aspects of the current system

What could be a next step

The Three Horizons approach is a useful tool for participants to apply to their areas of interest, recognising that change isn’t linear and requires working simultaneously in today’s world, a disrupted world, and a transformed world.

Throughout the workshop, participants were encouraged to consider the needs of both current and future generations, including those not yet born. This intergenerational perspective is central to discussions about what the city should continue, stop, and start doing to create a more equitable future for all Ōtautahi Christchurch residents.

Thanks to:

Prof Bronwyn Hayward, Associate Dean Research Faculty of Arts, University of Canterbury

Dr Kate Prendergast, Research Manager and Post Doctorial Fellow, UC  Hei Puāwaitanga: Sustainability, Citizenship and Civic Imagination Research Group

Dr Md. Mehedi Hasan, UC visiting scholar and  Urban Planning lecturer from Jahangirnagar University Dhaka Bangladesh

And the students from Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability and Political Science programmes

Mentors from the Ōtautahi Futures Collective and community – Josh Hough, Sam Woolf, Elle Archer, Maria Smolar, Thomas Blakie, aimee whitcroft, Grace de Leon and Smart Cities Christchurch

Securing Intergenerational, long term policy thinking

Following on from the Hopeful Futures workshop I was invited to be part of an Expert Listener Panel, listening to groups of students from POLS 304 present their research on the topic of ‘how long-term thinking might be better secured in some aspect of NZ policy’. It was such a privilege to hear these presentations. We do have an enormous groundswell of young people in our city who do want to grow the UN Declaration for Future Generations into existence.

Topics were wide ranging including the creation of a civic futures network, women in climate policy leadership, a future generations policy for Aotearoa NZ, creation of a citizen’s jury, housing, transport and agriculture. The students had thought deeply about possibilities and I hope some will continue to move their ideas to action. Hence providing the three horizons above as one futures tool that could lead them to action.

Some key thoughts from me as I listened to the presentations:

  • The importance of developing policy that lasts, that is ‘above’ polarisation and political whims
  • Creating a metaphor and a story that connects to the emotions is an important part of the change process
  • Understanding worldviews – own and others – helps to develop a change approach
  • Networking and sharing is a key way to avoid duplication
  • Active outreach to marginalised communities is more critical than ever
  • Global risks such as contagion, climate and conflict interweave and amplify complexity and in turn seem overwhelming
  • The circle of influence is the space of hope for each of us, working in a small space that we can impact.
  • Our focus must be on resilience not reliance.

These small suggestions may seem naive to those playing in on the global politics stage. However, if we are to enact the Pact for Future Generations and make a positive contribution we need to keep hope alive rather than be paralysed with fear. Rather than utopian or dystopian futures our young people seek to create impact.

I am so privileged to be part of the conversation with rangatahi and to support as an ally for this work.

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