So the world’s in a mess, the country’s gone to hell and we’re all doomed, right?
Wrong. The optimism of youth appears unaffected by our gnarled grownup worldview. And remarkably, young people seem to most optimistic in parts of the developing world. An Ipsos survey found, for example, that 90% of teenagers in Kenya, Mexico, China and Nigeria were hopeful about the future.
“Young people believe in the Nigerian dream,” said Olasupo Abideen, a social activist. “We are trying to change the rhetoric around how Nigeria is being perceived. As a result we are always optimistic, we are focused and we have energy.”
Of course, optimism will vary depending on where you are. This week, Guardian correspondents reported from two African countries showing promise in terms of jobs and growth, and asked whether their success might be replicable elsewhere.
Half the world away, in the north of England, the problems young people face concern not just jobs but homes as well. Our reporter Mattha Busby caught up with a social enterprise trying to kill those two birds with one stone.
Speaking of two birds and one stone, a British charity called Think Ahead is trying to do something about the lack of mental health resources and career opportunities for young people. Its first cohort of young mental health social workers graduated on Friday, as our reporter Ammar Kalia found out.
What we liked
With the anniversary of the #MeToo movement pulling into view, the Christian Science Monitor took a global look at all kinds of ways of teaching men how to treat women with respect, from anger management classes in Mexico to lapel badges on Japanese schoolgirls’ coats.
The New York Times, meanwhile, investigated Israel’s attempts to come up with solutions to the perennial issue of drought.
What we heard
This is what happens when the media, our guardian, dig in deeply to the lives of the everyday people. We learn about the wonderful things going on. Out of the reach of pyramid pinnacle politics. Because people feel the huge need to simply be human. To share ideas with one another. To get out and do things.
Mabel Carlos Glynn commenting on Aditya Chakrabortty’s final piece in his Alternatives series, which has run in parallel with the Upside this year.
Where was the Upside?
Off the coast of Florida, where scientists are trying to save coral from the depleting effects of pollution and climate change.
Also, in Potsdam, where the world’s first autonomous tram gave us a glimpse of the future.
