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 The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...

as an official international day. The UN observes various days to commemorate efforts in favour of human rights, climate, or youth (e.g.,

World Children's Day Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country. In 1925, International Children's Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Sin ...

– 20th November,

Human Rights Day Human Rights Day (HRD) is list of minor secular observances#December, celebrated annually around the world on 10 December every year. The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December ...

– 10th December,

International Women's Day International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March, commemorating women's fight for equality and liberation along with the women's rights movement. International Women's Day gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive righ ...

– 8th March,

World Water Day World Water Day is an annual United Nations (UN) observance day held on 22 March that highlights the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of Water resources, freshwater resources. The theme of eac ...

– 22th March, etc.). 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. Parliament, citizens and the media discuss the future once a year, on 16 November, informing themselves on topics that concern intergenerational justice. The unofficial holiday addresses existential risks such as accelerating

global warming Present-day climate change includes both global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its wider effects on Earth's climate system. Climate change in a broader sense also includes previous long-term changes ...

, escalating (nuclear) arms races, the

loss of biodiversity Biodiversity loss happens when plant or animal species disappear completely from Earth (extinction) or when there is a decrease or disappearance of species in a specific area. Biodiversity loss means that there is a reduction in biological dive ...

, unaligned artificial intelligence, and human-made pandemics, as well as intergenerationally unfair public policies, rapidly growing

national debts A country's gross government debt (also called public debt or sovereign debt) is the financial liabilities of the government sector. Changes in government debt over time reflect primarily borrowing due to past government deficits. A deficit occu ...

, the

cost-of-living crisis A cost-of-living crisis refers to a socioeconomic situation or period of high inflation where nominal wages have stagnated while there is a sharp increase in the cost of basic goods, such as food, housing, and energy. As a result, living standar ...

, high housing costs, and eroding pensions. On the 16th of November organisations from the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

, the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, The

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...

and the

United Nations Foundation The United Nations Foundation is a charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., that supports the United Nations and its activities. It was established in 1998 with a $1billion gift to the United Nations by philanthropist Ted Turn ...

call for greater intergenerational fairness so that the interests of younger and future generations are better protected both nationally and internationally.

Intergenerational Fairness

Intergenerational fairness is a fundamental principle that holds far-reaching implications for societies and the well-being of both current and future generations. 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. However, it is often noted that democracy tends to be biased towards the present. Scholars, like

Dennis F. Thompson Dennis Frank Thompson (12 May 1940 - 30 March 2025) was a political scientist and professor at Harvard University, where he founded the university-wide Center for Ethics and the Professions (now the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics). Thomps ...

, 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. 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. As a result, long-term challenges that will impact future generations may receive limited political or public attention. See also

Intergenerational equity Intergenerational equity in economic, psychological, and sociological contexts, is the idea of Social justice, fairness or justice between generations. The concept can be applied to fairness in dynamics between children, youth, adults, and Old a ...

. 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. This necessitates policies that make long-term investments, address persistent issues effectively, and promote democratic values. Intergenerational equity-based policies aim to tackle issues such as public debt, provision of social safety nets, and investment in infrastructure and education. Neglecting these issues can lead to economic crises that can affect younger generations disproportionately. Equitable distribution of opportunities and resources across generations is essential to ensure fairness for all members of society. 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. Intergenerational fairness aims to reduce social, political, economic, and environmental inequalities to achieve this.

Organisations

Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations

Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations 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. Established in 1 ...

(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. 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.

Intergenerational Foundation

The Intergenerational Foundation The Intergenerational Foundation (IF) is a charitable UK-based thinktank established to promote fairness between generations. IF believe that each generation should pay its own way, which - they claim - is not happening at present. They postulate t ...

(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. IF is an independent, non-partisan charity, and funded by "no-strings" donations from trusts, foundations, individual supporters, and corporates who share their vision. 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.

Berkeley Institute for Young Americans

The Berkeley Institute for Young Americans (BIFYA) is a research institute at the University of California, Berkeley. 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.

GenerationSqueeze

Generation Squeeze Generation Squeeze (also known as GenSqueeze) is a Canadian, non-partisan, non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of young adults. The organization claims to have modeled itself after CARP, an organization that advocates for Canadians 4 ...

is a charitable Think and Change Tank promoting wellbeing for all generations. 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.

MillionGenerations

The milliongenerations foundation in

The Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

exists from 2009 to 2034 to make it more likely that the future is very long. It helped to start

The Letters of Utrecht ''The Letters of Utrecht'' () form an endless poem in the stones of a street in the center of the Dutch city of Utrecht. Every Saturday at 13:00, the next letter is hewn into the next cobblestone, with the intent to continue for as long as there ...

in 2012 and the collaboration of Long term art projects LTAP in 2022. On its website milliongenerations.org registered users can discuss topics such as the rights of future generations, existential risks and surviving progress.

Think Forward

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. 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.

Future Design

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. 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. This imaginative leap results in more transformative city plans, driven by the realization that choices today profoundly impact tomorrow. This model has already influenced policy planning in various Japanese towns and cities, creating a more intergenerationally-aware approach to decision-making.

Partnership for Future Generations in Africa

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. This initiative aims to mainstream intragenerational fairness and intergenerational solidarity in African policy spaces.

Next Generation Fellows

The Next Generation Fellows are advocating for a future that is equitable and just for young people and future generations. 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. 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.

References

{{reflist International observances