From the heart of Milan, over a thousand young people from more than 60 countries have sent a clear message to the world's powerful: global priorities should be education, health, and environmental protection, not the arms race. During the Next Milan Forum, organized by ISPI, Bocconi University, and the OECD, these young talents—students, professionals, activists—participated in real-time polls whose results were projected on giant screens, sparking dialogue with world leaders such as the president of the World Bank and representatives of major corporations.
The Voice of Youth: Peace and Public Services
The poll results speak clearly: when asked which budget items they would prioritize if they were leading their country, only 14% chose military spending. Over half (53%) selected social policies—healthcare, pensions, education—while a third focused on innovation and competitiveness. Young people see armed conflicts as the main risk to the world, followed by geoeconomic tensions and social polarization. Peace, then, is their primary desire, but not a utopia: it is a concrete goal to pursue through targeted investments.
Prioritizing Schools and Healthcare
The message is strong: without solid education and accessible healthcare, there is no sustainable development. These young people, many already involved in think tanks and NGOs, are asking governments to reverse priorities. They do not want resources diverted to defense, but toward building a future where every person can grow and contribute. This vision echoes the biblical passage from the prophet Isaiah: "They shall beat their swords into plowshares" (Isaiah 2:4).
Rejecting Tariffs and Facing the Climate Challenge
Tomorrow's young leaders also spoke out against trade barriers: tariffs are seen as an obstacle to global cooperation. Instead, they call for policies that foster the exchange of knowledge and technologies, especially to address the climate crisis. Extreme weather events are among the top five concerns, and 33% of participants indicated innovation as a spending priority, precisely to develop green solutions.
Integral Ecology for the Common Good
This demand for investment in the ecological transition is not only technical but deeply ethical. As Christians, we are called to care for creation, as Psalm 24 reminds us: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." The young people at the forum remind us that care for our common home is inseparable from social justice: we cannot protect the environment without also protecting the most vulnerable people.
A Model of Leadership for the Future
What strikes us about this event is not only the content of the responses but the method: young people dialoguing on equal footing with the powerful, using technology to express opinions in real time. It is an example of active participation that the Church itself encourages, as Pope Francis (now emeritus) states in the apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit: "Young people are not only the future but the present of the Church and the world."
The Importance of Listening to New Generations
Too often, young people are labeled as apathetic or uninterested. Yet events like the Next Milan Forum show they have clear ideas and a desire to engage. The challenge for us adults, for institutions, and for Christian communities is to create spaces for listening and collaboration. Only then can we build a more just and peaceful world together.
A Reflection for Each of Us
What can we do, in our own small way, to support these priorities? We can start by informing ourselves about our countries' political choices, participating in public debate, and supporting initiatives that promote education, health, and care for the environment. Every small step counts.
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