To gain a deeper understanding of the future, begin with the people who will inherit it. In this episode of FOBtv, futurist Kevin Benedict sits down with Aino Piispanen—one of Finland’s leading voices on youth futures at the Hopeful Future project—to confront a stunning reality: young people’s belief in tomorrow is now at the lowest level ever recorded. Together, they explore why hope is diminishing, how loneliness and uncertainty distort imagination, and what it really takes to rebuild a sense of agency for the next generation. From the emotional breakthroughs Aino witnesses in futures workshops to the deeper question of whether today’s crisis is one of reality or imagination. If you care about the world we’re leaving to our children—and the one they’re preparing to shape—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Tell us a little bit about your career and a little bit about your journey as a futurist.
Why do you think that's important? Could you tell us a bit about this "hopeful" project?
What is that problem you're trying to solve?
What do you think young people are actually losing? Is that hope, trust, agency
or something deeper?
Why do you think the sentiment is going down? The sentiment toward hope in the
future? What's the reason for that?
So the geopolitical considerations, military security and sharing borders with not
always kind of neighbors. These are all news headlines in Finland?
How important is the idea of actually building hope as a resource among community?
Will that manifest itself into better outcomes?
You also describe a widening gap between what young people hope for and what
they think they're likely to receive. What do you think the reasons are for that?
What role does social media have in creating or increasing the positive sentiment in
the community or diminishing it in the community? Do you see an impact there?
How to recognize even propaganda campaigns that might be targeted at them and
the community. Is that so? Tell us about that in Finland.
Talk to us about that. How does isolation distort a young person's ability to imagine
a positive possibility and a possible future?
What role do those community centers like that play in helping manage
isolation and loneliness?
So you also advocate for upholding fundamental social rights as a prerequisite for hope.
Tell us your thinking there.
How do the economic and social safety nets, which are well recognized in Finland,
Impact somebody who needs help?
You've also seen firsthand the emotional impact when young people engage with
future thinking. Tell us about that.
If you can give every young person one sentence to carry with them for the next
decade, what would it be, and why that sentence?
Discover more from #FOBtv and connect with Kevin Benedict:
Kevin Benedict's Blog: https://mobileenterprisestrategies.blogspot.com/
Kevin Benedict on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbenedict/
Kevin Benedict on X: https://x.com/krbenedict
About the Reimagining the Future Series | The Future of Business
The Reimagining the Future Series, produced by the Future of Business team, helps our clients and partners see the combinatorial effects of science, technology, digital forces, and societal factors that are rapidly shaping our emerging future. The series provides inspiration, strategic ideas, actionable thought leadership, and guidance to better understand the transformational journey and its implications to help business leaders reimagine and position their organizations for the future.
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