ABSTRACT

By empathically considering the needs of future generations, educators can make their curricula and teaching much more relevant. Far from being merely an abstract concept, the term ‘future generations’ refers to actual people who someday will be just as alive and busy as we are. If future generations could send us a friendly message, they would probably ask us to emphasize these six societal and educational priorities: develop and preserve significant knowledge on the ‘big questions’; conduct futures-relevant research; provide futuresrelevant education for all ages; foster learning about the ‘big questions’; promote an attitude of deep caring; foster a widespread sense of meaning and purpose. In addition, future generations would like to tell us how to learn more about their perspective, how to feel hopeful and empowered, how to experience deep bonding with them, and how to help them.