Executive summary
The Shinnyo-en Foundation has coined the phrase “Generation Peace” to designate people ages 18 to 34 characterized by their independent thinking and creative actions, and who are generous in supporting and encouraging others’ efforts toward attaining personal and community peace. In February 2008 the Foundation commissioned a survey and hosted a forum to learn more about Generation Peace.
Among the findings of the survey were indications that young people are more optimistic than their elders about achieving personal peace. They describe themselves as spiritual rather than religious, and they are redefining community, more by relationships — including virtual ones — than by proximity or location.
On the heels of the survey, and with its findings as a basis for conversation, eight individuals (from teenagers to older adults) from educational, corporate and nonprofit backgrounds were gathered via email and teleconference to participate in a moderated forum, with the goal of articulating the characteristics and implications of Generation Peace. The Forum resulted in the identification of the seven themes detailed in this paper:
- Generation Peace is interconnected, creative, and powerful
- “Community” is being redefined
- Helping can be a habit; engaging has never been easier
- “Networked individualism” can be a catalyst for change
- Boomers and Generation Peace are uniquely bonded
- Explosive choices can be daunting, but accelerate “rites of passage”
- 9/11 gave Generation Peace its touchstone
Ultimately, the implication is that Generation Peace is uniquely justified in its optimism and prepared to fulfill its potential, but the degree to which it is able to do so depends upon the degree to which it is able to establish a bridge between its unprecedented access and use of virtual resources and meaningful face-to-face encounters.
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