#Switzerland #Youth Empowerment #St. Gallen #Davos 2026 #Rosenberg Youth

Shaping the Future: The Rosenberg Youth Manifesto

In a groundbreaking initiative at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, students of the Institut auf dem Rosenberg unveiled the Rosenberg Youth Manifesto for Action. This manifesto, set to officially launch on June 20, 2026, encapsulates the voices and ideas of students aged 6 to 18, offering a fresh perspective on pressing global issues, education, industry, and governance.

A Convergence of Young Voices

The students’ input comes from Rosenberg House Davos, a pioneering event where they engaged with global leaders, technologists, and cultural icons. Spanning from January 19 to 23, 2026, this event marked a historic moment as it was the first time school-aged individuals actively hosted discussions during the World Economic Forum week. Students took center stage, posing critical questions that shaped the development of the manifesto, enabling young minds to explore topics from artificial intelligence to urban resilience.

Bernhard Gademann, the President of the Institut, emphasized, "What makes this Manifesto significant is not that it speaks on behalf of young people, but that it was written by them." This statement articulates the essence of the manifesto, which aims not just to articulate ideas but to inspire action.

The Manifesto's Framework

The students structured the manifesto to transform dialogue into actionable commitments. It features:

• - Short, Real-World Definitions: Essential terms are clarified in concise language, ensuring that important concepts resonate with youth and do not become mere jargon.
• - Implementable Resolutions: Each chapter boasts ten actionable steps designed to be adopted across various sectors, including education and industry.
• - Concrete Guidance for Leaders: The manifesto outlines practical next steps leaders can take, emphasizing responsibility and transparency in implementation.
• - Proof from Practice: Featuring examples from the students' own innovative projects, the manifesto highlights how dialogue turns into real-world applications.
• - A Focus on Trust and Accountability: Through clear actions, the manifesto illustrates a practical approach to trust, creating pathways for dialogue to evolve into actionable commitments.

Insights from Notable Contributors

The Rosenberg Youth Manifesto gained further depth with insights from prominent figures such as Yuval Noah Harari, who urged that while youth should understand the world, the responsibility to manage it should lie with adults. Similarly, Dr. Caroll O'Donnell suggested that meaningful educational experiences should involve multiple generations.

Cultivating Engagement Beyond the Traditional Model

Unlike many youth-focused reports that typically reflect the views of older adolescents, the Rosenberg Youth Manifesto uniquely incorporates the perspectives of much younger voices, emphasizing that learning and leadership should span all ages. It represents an empowering initiative where youth define their futures, breaking away from the traditional roles of passive observers to proactive shapers of change.

Conclusion

The Rosenberg Youth Manifesto bridges the gap between youthful ambitions and the practical steps needed for realization. It’s a call to action urging leaders across sectors to listen to and engage with younger generations. As attention turns towards the launch, this manifesto encapsulates the hopes and responsibilities that young people are ready to embrace, asserting their role in driving meaningful change in their societies. Through the Institut auf dem Rosenberg, students not only articulate a vision for the future but also provide a framework for adults to transform those visions into reality, fostering a collaborative environment for generational engagement.

In a world rife with challenges, the Rosenberg Youth Manifesto stands as a beacon of hope, presenting a model for how youth can actively shape the future they wish to see—a future grounded in accountability, action, and meaningful dialogue.