The New Generational Contract is a joint initiative by the St. Gallen Symposium and the Club of Rome. Together, we aim to create impact, by developing and practicing fundamental values of future-oriented leadership, bearing the interests of all generations in mind.  

Our initiative was founded by a group of university students in 1969, when student protests across the globe laid bare immense divides between older and younger generations. Ever since, we have been hosting a forum for cross-generational dialogue, addressing clashes and building bridges between leaders of today and tomorrow. We provide a platform for younger generations to voice their concerns and express their ideas, while engaging with and learning from the experiences of older generations. Ultimately, we believe that only through genuine cross-generational collaboration will we be able to achieve decisive progress towards a more equitable and sustainable future.  

The concept of the generational contract refers to an unwritten agreement between different generations to share resources and collaborate on relevant issues. In recent years, however, we notice that the idea of a generational contract as we know it is not viable anymore. Demographic shifts, climate change and rising inequities all demonstrate severe generational gaps – calling for a redefinition of these “ties that bind” generations and our mutual responsibility, ensuring the continued well-being of all generations.  

We see a division forming between generations, threatening to disrupt communication and collaboration. Polarising topics are leading to more and more head-on collisions between young and old. This is why we – as the International Students’ Committee – worked throughout the past year in various ways to help shape an emerging understanding of a New Generational Contract. 

In collaboration with the Club of Rome and involving thousands of cross-generational voices through our Global Essay Competition, our dialogue formats, and our surveys, we formulated a positive vision – consisting of seven principles – for stronger, mutually inclusive relationships between generations: Values like Care, Responsibility and Openness are meant to inspire individuals and organisations to reflect upon and act in new ways. They set a clear guideline, which we, in organising the 52^nd St. Gallen Symposium, think and act upon.  

We intend to help bridge the disparities we are perceiving via dialogue. We want to inspire our guests to lead by example, keeping the principles of this New Generational Contract in mind. This is why our formats are raising key, actionable questions: How can policymakers and business leaders advance long-term transformations, while dealing with the challenges of recent years? What are effective ways to involve all generations in decision-making processes, such as on corporate boards? And how can each of us individuallypractice values such as mutual care and responsibility with members of other generations? 

By taking the New Generational Contract by heart, the community we bring together during the 52^nd St. Gallen Symposium is setting a precedent in their field. Providing principles to guide our decisions, the initiative of the New Generational Contract aims to be the spark igniting the fire of all-encompassing change. 

Andrin Müller