A better future: responsibility lies with us

Growing up in a world of crises

The financial crisis, Covid, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, stagnant economic growth, state and municipal debt, runaway housing prices, declining educational standards, falling birth rates and a weakening demographic structure, growing youth violence, severe bullying, a sense of insecurity, climate change, biodiversity loss. The 21st century, and the 2020s in particular, has been full of crises and bad news. It is no wonder that many young people are struggling.

At the same time, Finland is a safer country than it has ever been. Climate change can still be limited to two degrees. Biodiversity loss can be halted. There is still time to balance public finances. Immigration is on the rise. Our standard of living is higher than ever. And we are, by research, the happiest nation in the world. Although there is still much to be done, the situation is not hopeless.

What does adult responsibility entail?

One of the most important tasks is caring for the next generation. That also means we must leave the world in better shape than we found it. It all starts with the example we show children and young people. If adults are hopeless, what chances do young people have? At the same time, if we adults do not take young people’s concerns seriously and show that we are working to improve the situation, what hope do they have?

Most worrying in the general debate right now, however, is how many people reduce young people’s difficulties to simply bad behaviour — or even blame the young people themselves. Children and young people have very limited possibilities to influence the world and society around them. The greatest responsibility for the direction of their world lies with us adults.

I have written more about the future of children and young people: on the consequences of cutting spending on children and on education as the municipality’s most important task .

Published in Kirkkonummen Sanomat on 2 October 2024.