The young are not having it easy

Although at a substantially reduced risk from the disease itself, the collateral damage caused by COVID has hit the young very hard. Not just economically but psychologically.  Their education has been hugely disrupted and their job prospects once they leave education are now dimmer than for a generation.

There are over nine-and-a-half million children and young people in the UK aged between 10-24. To say that their futures are currently uncertain is an understatement. Their education, their prospects for work, their freedom to move around and associate with their peers and others. And, most importantly for many, the future of the planet. A lot to endure.

To gauge how the young are feeling about their futures and how they regard the job that their elders are making of running the world this podcast by Matthew Gwyther talks to three young people:

• Ahmed Ibrahim on the university system
• Morgan Howe on the disappointment of schools (exams, not life skills) and meaningful employment
• Leonora on creativity and climate change

Jericho Conversations is one of a number of initiatives that spontaneously emerged during the first COVID lockdown – part of a determination to use moments of crisis to pivot towards a better, fairer, more equitable and sustainable future for all. By popular demand, we have reignited the series to help find surprising and refreshing solutions and insights into a world in constant flux. Each conversation – led by an expert speaker – is designed to keep Jericho communities engaged and thinking about “what comes next?” for business and society.