The future is now - opportunities for businesses

What is Global Changemakers about?

Young people are our future leaders. They are the ones that will have to act on global issues, being affected as much by events in faraway places as by what happens down the road. To meet the challenges of tomorrow, young people must be prepared to contribute to positive social change and strengthen civil society in our global environment.

Who is involved?

Global Changemakers is managed by a team located at the British Council Switzerland. The programme’s patron is Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The  British Council has established partnerships with the WEF in Davos as well as regional WEF events and other international organisations, where young talents, aged 16-25, challenge today’s world and business leaders with their issues, ideas and projects.

Global Changemakers from Scotland, China and Sri Lanka meet with Gordon Brown in Davos, 2008

Why do we need Changemakers?

Today’s leaders often cite the need to protect future generations from the excesses of the present and the mistakes of the past. Teenagers from around the globe, supported by the British Council's global network of 110 regional offices, assess the state of the world from their generation's perspective and provide today’s leaders with insight on what they are expecting them to do to improve the state of the world.

But these Changemakers also aim to shape the future of the world themselves. Just like your company cares for its employees and is committed to excellent services and outstanding products, young Changemakers are the voice of the coming generation and care for their future. Partners of the Global Changemakers programme enable new platforms for Changemakers and can engage with their global- and community-projects that will bring positive change to society and thus can affect your company too. Be it cultural, social or environmental changes – Changemakers are committed to sustaining their and your future.