Intergenerational Fairness Day

The Intergenerational Fairness Day (IFD) is celebrated annually on 16 November and was proclaimed as a worldwide day of action by an international network of non-partisan organisations that exist to protect the rights of younger and future generations. According to the organising network, the day was created with the goal of being recognised by the United Nations as an official international day.^[1][2] The UN observes various days to commemorate efforts in favour of human rights, climate, or youth (e.g., World Children's Day – 20th November, Human Rights Day – 10th December, International Women's Day – 8th March, World Water Day – 22th March, etc.).^[3]

Held for the first time in 2023, it is an initiative to raise awareness for the increasing unfairness that today's youth and future generations are experiencing due to a lack of adequate government intervention and policy reform.^[4] Parliament, citizens and the media discuss the future once a year, on 16 November, informing themselves on topics that concern intergenerational justice.^[5] The inofficial holiday addresses existential risks such as accelerating global warming,escalating (nuclear) arms races, the loss of biodiversity, unaligned artificial intelligence, and human-made pandemics, as well as intergenerationally unfair public policies, rapidly growing national debts, the cost-of-living crisis, high housing costs, and eroding pensions.^[5]

On the 16th of November organisations from the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Nigeria and the United Nations Foundation call for greater intergenerational fairness so that the interests of younger and future generations are better protected both nationally and internationally.^[4]

Intergenerational fairness is a fundamental principle that holds far-reaching implications for societies and the well-being of both current and future generations.^[6][7] This concept underscores the equitable treatment of individuals of all ages, ensuring that the interests and needs of each generation are taken into consideration, addressing a range of significant societal, ethical, and economic concerns.^[7][8] However, it is often noted that democracy tends to be biased towards the present.^[9][10] Scholars, like Dennis F. Thompson, often describe that due to the political system's focus on achieving immediate results within a single term, the long-term consequences of political decisions are often challenging to determine.^[11][12][13] It is argued that future generations are not well-represented in the political process, while the percentage of elderly voters continues to increase, leading to a potential imbalance in the representation of different age groups.^[14][15] As a result, long-term challenges that will impact future generations may receive limited political or public attention.^[16][17] See also Intergenerational equity.

Intergenerational Fairness Day emphasizes the importance of policies that take into account society's long-term needs, safeguard the rights of future generations, respect planetary limits, and prevent the deferral of costs without corresponding benefits.^[18] This necessitates policies that make long-term investments, address persistent issues effectively, and promote democratic values.^[13] Intergenerational equity-based policies aim to tackle issues such as public debt, provision of social safety nets, and investment in infrastructure and education.^[19] Neglecting these issues can lead to economic crises that can affect younger generations disproportionately.^[20][21] Equitable distribution of opportunities and resources across generations is essential to ensure fairness for all members of society.^[22] Sustainable economic systems, prudent resource management, and environmental stewardship are vital for leaving behind a healthy ecosystem with adequate resources and a stable climate for future generations.^[23] Intergenerational fairness aims to reduce social, political, economic, and environmental inequalities to achieve this.

Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations (FRFG), also known as Stiftung für die Rechte zukünftiger Generationen (SRzG), is a German think tank and activist group focused on intergenerational justice and sustainability.^[24] Established in 1997, the foundation is based in Stuttgart, Germany. The FRFG has been called the most important extra-parliamentary think tank on the topic of intergenerational justice in Germany, and has members from around the world. The organization rose to national prominence while campaigning to include a provision for sustainability and the protection of future generations into the German constitution. It has also campaigned for age-independent voting rights.

The Intergenerational Foundation (IF) is a research and education charity that was established in 2011. The organisation's primary objective is to promote fairness between generations and protect the interests of younger and future generations in all policy areas.^[25] IF is an independent, non-partisan charity, and funded by "no-strings" donations from trusts, foundations, individual supporters, and corporates who share their vision.^[26] IF's work has aided to highlight several areas of intergenerational unfairness in the UK, including the housing crisis and unaffordability; the pension settlement between the generations; high taxation facing younger generations; reduced spending on younger generations; a lack of long-term planning or investment; the climate crisis and the need to move more swiftly towards a low carbon society; and high student debt facing young people in England and Wales.^[27]

The Berkeley Institute for Young Americans (BIFYA) is a research institute at the University of California, Berkeley.^[28] They conduct research to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by younger generations. Their aim is to develop public policy interventions that can help solve these issues.^[29]

Generation Squeeze is a charitable Think and Change Tank promoting wellbeing for all generations.^[30] They see generational unfairness as a root cause of unaffordable housing, the high cost of raising a family, mounting climate risks, growing government debt, and rising medical costs that crowd out investments in wellbeing and seek to champion intergenerational fairness.^[31]

The milliongenerations foundation in The Netherlands exists from 2009 to 2034 to make it more likely that the future is very long.^[32] It helped to start The Letters of Utrecht in 2012 and the collaboration of Long term art projects LTAP in 2022.^[33] On its website milliongenerations.org registered users can discuss topics such as the rights of future generations, existential risks and surviving progress.

Think Forward was founded in response to an observed trend that young people in Australia may face an economic burden that is distinct from previous generations.^[34] Current tax and economic policies may result in young people underwriting the lives of older Australians to an unprecedented extent. Due to several factors, such as the increase in insecure work, rising housing costs, and the impacts of the climate crisis, Australia's millennial generation may be at risk of having worse economic outcomes than prior generations. They aim to create a society that prioritises intergenerational fairness by advocating for policy changes, undertaking research and analysis, and educating younger generations.^[35]

The Future Design movement is a model to overcome short-termism in democratic decision-making. Inspired by the traditional principle of seventh-generation decision-making, it is about strengthening intergenerational justice.^[36] This movement revolves around a model of participatory decision-making. It invites residents to set long-term plans for their towns and cities, not just from their perspective but by stepping into the shoes of their peers in 2060, as they leap into the future.^[37] This imaginative leap results in more transformative city plans, driven by the realization that choices today profoundly impact tomorrow.^[38] This model has already influenced policy planning in various Japanese towns and cities, creating a more intergenerationally-aware approach to decision-making.^[39]

The Partnership for Future Generations in Africa is a project sponsored by Effective Altruism Nigeria. The PFGA is a continental initiative aiming to amplify young voices in Africa for effective advocacy and protection of the rights and interests of younger and future generations.^[40] This initiative aims to mainstream intragenerational fairness and intergenerational solidarity in African policy spaces.

The Next Generation Fellows are advocating for a future that is equitable and just for young people and future generations.^[41] The United Nations Foundation established the Next Generation Fellows program to respond to the UN Secretary-General's request for young people to shape the Our Common Agenda report.^[42] These fellows are positioned across the global system to drive local solutions, considering young people's and future generation's interests. Their vision is to create a society where opportunities are abundant and accessible, and they aim to make intergenerational fairness a reality in the global system and its policy agenda.^[43]