Young people and Gen-Z are the generation most affected by the environmental choices being made today, yet our voices are often left out of the conversations and decisions shaping our shared sustainable future. Many organizations, institutions, and leaders genuinely want to engage with young people, but struggle to do it meaningfully. The result can feel one-sided, tokenistic, or performative, leaving both sides frustrated and disconnected.

This session is designed for those who want to do better. Drawing from lived experience in intergenerational collaboration, this keynote (or interactive panel) will explore what authentic engagement with young people in sustainability and environmentalism really looks like, beyond youth councils, social media campaigns, or symbolic seats at the table.

Attendees will learn:

• The do’s and don’ts of youth engagement, what works, what backfires, and why.
• How to shift from consultation to collaboration, creating spaces where young people’s perspectives genuinely shape decisions that create a sustainable future.
• How to build trust and mutual respect between generations, even when priorities or communication styles differ.
• Ways to make your research, projects, or programs accessible and relevant to young audiences without diluting rigor or impact.

This session challenges leaders, scientists, and educators to move from talking about young people to working with them. It’s about reimagining what partnership looks likewhere every generation has a voice, and where sustainability isn’t just inherited, but co-created.