No one will feel the consequences of current political decisions as strongly as the younger generation. However, young people’s views are rarely heard in public debates. Support programs for those interested in politics are often only offered to adults.
For this reason, the Liz Mohn Foundation launched ‘Generation Global – We Shape the World’ to make the voices of this young generation heard in political discussions and thus give young people a say in public decision-making processes.
After a multi-stage application and selection process, a group of young people aged between 15 and 18 from East Westphalia-Lippe who are interested in foreign policy started the two-year programme in January 2026, which invites them to a variety of events every six to eight weeks. With the help of professional coaches and experts, the young people will work on their hard and soft skills so that they can help shape public debates as the actors of tomorrow.
‘Generation Global – We Shape the World’ is intended to serve as a model project for other regions in Germany: How should young people be supported in order to prepare them for future positions of responsibility in public life? What is important in order to keep the group together over a period of 24 months?
‘We are delighted to have the opportunity to accompany these interesting young people over a long period of time and to make a difference together with them,’ says Matthias Meis, Deputy Chairman of the Liz Mohn Foundation.
Giving young political voices a platform
The Liz Mohn Foundation also offers young people a platform in other projects within the field of international relations.
In the study ‘Germany’s Role in the World,’ children and young people are surveyed on foreign and security policy issues. The results can be found in the policy brief here: Deutschlands
Rolle in der Welt
In the ‘Generation Global LIVE’ conference series, school students from the region have the opportunity to discuss current foreign policy issues with experts on an equal footing. Until 2025, the Liz Mohn Foundation organised the conference series together with the Munich Security Conference under the title ‘Zeitenwende on tour’ (Turning Point on Tour). Further information can be found here: Zeitenwende on tour
