ABOUT EVERYGEN
EveryGen was convened by the Policy Innovation Hub at Griffith University commencing in 2020. It comprised a coalition of multidisciplinary policy experts collaborating to create an equitable, just and transformative path towards intergenerational justice.
Whilst no longer active, EveryGen members continue to advocate for policy research, collaboration and action on intergenerational equity and justice, seeking to influence the policy agenda and inspire evidence-based thinking on intergenerational equity and justice.
This includes through initiatives such as promoting a law reform agenda by advocating for a Future Generations Act in Australia and by amplifying the voices of current and future generations to both highlight and transform the long-term impacts of today’s policy decisions.
This page reflects work done by EveryGen over the years.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to amplify the voices of current and future generations and highlight the long-term impacts of today’s policy decisions.
EveryGen seeks to holds decision makers accountable for Australia’s long-term interests.
EveryGen would like to see an Act of parliament, similar to The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, that was first adopted in Wales in 2016. A Welsh-style Act would embed the protection of future generations into Australian legislation, making sustainable development the organising principle of government.
EMPOWER
YOUNG PEOPLE
INFLUENCE
GOVERNMENT
INCLUSIVE
COLLABORATION
WHAT WE DO
At EveryGen we seek to empower young people and build opportunities for future generations to exercise agency. We are inclusive of marginalised persona and of First Nationals and Indigenous voices. We want to change thinking processes by targeted messaging, grassroots work, training workshops and education to elevate the views and voices of young people. We want to bring the education systems (including schooling system) with us as we work towards clearer articulation of intergenerational issues in public and political arenas.
TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE AND BUILD OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO EXERCISE AGENCY
- Push for recognition of the importance of future generations having the ability to make decisions and;
- Collaborate with youth to ensure our outputs align with what matters to young people.
INFLUENCING GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO ENSURE TODAY’S POLICY DECISIONS CONSIDER AND PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS
We seek to influence decisionmakers by:
- Undertaking empathy and power mapping to analyse and identify key decision makers in communities, politics, the private sector, NGO’s, civil society, academia, the media, the policy sphere, finance, religion and the creative scene.
- Establishing strong, strategic and meaningful relationships within government and business to achieve political influence and reform (For example, a Parliamentary Friendship Group or partnerships such as a Network of Institutions for Future Generations (NIFG))
- Lead policy research and development on intergenerational equity and justice.
- Play to our strengths, by rebuilding or pivoting existing work, undertaking specific projects with invited collaborators and published outcomes, undertaking consultative research, embed a long term thinking paradigm and future-orientated policy assessment, highlight and stimulate public debate and dialogue on challenges and opportunities facing future generations, establishing a media influence using targeted messaging and storytelling with a focus on transparency, evidence and consideration, writing books and articles, op eds and associated media as well as science communication (infographics, vids) and utilising social media influencers to spread the word.
TO INCLUSIVELY COLLABORATE ON STRATEGIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY INITIATIVES MAXIMISING INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY AND JUSTICE
Inclusivity is at the core of who we are at everywhen, and this is integrated into our organisational structure and our key practices:
- We are an un-hierarchical organisation and our contributions focus on truth telling,
- We use Silo’s semi-autonomous guiding principles and a marketing comms strategy but with creative freedom for our collaborators,
- We have developed an advisory board of connectors and high profile people,
- We regularly use working groups and consultative steering groups as a check-point to make sure everyone gets to have their voices heard.
- Our partners include diverse representative industries and demographics, including our international counterparts who are leaders in the space (such as the Welsh Future Generation Commissioner) and;
- We are guided by principles of empowering, transparency, evidence, consideration, empathy, and being impactful.
RESEARCH
A FAIR GO FOR ALL: Intergenerational Justice Policy Survey
81 per cent of Australians agree our politicians generally think too short-term when making decisions, according to our new report.
RESOURCES
FUTURE GENERATION BOARDS: NO TIME TRAVEL NEEDED
Like Marty McFly, we need the music and conversation to flow. Starting a conversation between generations in a corporation may not be easy, but the future depends on us having it. And our kids are gonna love it.
FUTURE GENERATION BOARDS II: WE HAVE THE ALMANAC
The data of science is our Almanac, we just need to do better than Biff. Young people know the decisions of today are putting future debts on them. We should be polite and talk to them, gathering their input into the business decisions of today that will impact their future.
A job for future generations
Wales’ latest Commissioner for Future Generations has just started in the job. Tasked by the government to ensure Wales leaves a better country for its children, the commissioner advises on sustainable development and monitors the longer term impacts of government decisions.
The word radical shouldn’t be a dirty word when it comes to the future
Instead of radical being an insult, it should be central to the debate – what sort of radical ideas do we need and how might we implement them so that, ultimately, we get to keep the good things in the face of inevitable, transformational, radical change.
TIME TO DO TIME FOR A FAIRER FUTURE?
I don’t want to get arrested. I am a lawyer and a law-abiding soul. But the urgency is building and I am also scared for my children and my children’s children. We need a Future Generations Act in the next term of government.
Safeguarding Australian Climate Policy: A Lesson from Wales
A climate resilient strategy is possible in Australia, if we learn from the experience of countries, such as Wales, where a transformative policy platform has proven to be a ‘game changer’ in the political landscape.
THE BIRDSVILLE MINDSET: LIVING WITH EXTREME HEAT
The last census recorded Birdsville’s population as 110, but that figure drops by more than half over summer. Those who stick it out use terms like “hibernate” and “bunkering down” to describe how they survive the three months from December to March.
Sophie Howe reflects on her 7-year term
Sophie Howe and the Future Generations Act have influenced the Welsh Government and others to demonstrate how they’re taking account of future generations, leading to big changes in transport, planning, education and health systems.
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
This Group will provide a non-partisan forum for parliamentarians to meet and interact with the work of ‘Foundations for Tomorrow’ on matters relating to the emerging global movement for an intergenerational lens on policy development.
PAST & CURRENT MEMBERS
DEBBIE
BARGALLIE
TERRY
CARNEY
CAMERON
CLIFF
JULIE
CONNOLLY
CHRIS
EIGELAND
SUSAN
HARRIS RIMMER
JACK
HAYES
TAYLOR
HAWKINS
NATASHA
HENNESSEY
ALLISON
HENRY
GWYNN
MACCARRICK
JEANNE
MCCONACHIE
DR MICHELLE
MALONEY
ED
MORGAN
JAN
OWEN
KIRSTIE
PETROU
MIKHARA
RAMSING
NANCY
SPENCER
ELISE
STEPHENSON
ASHLEIGH
STREETER-JONES
