Global Campaign to Engage Youth in the UN’s Summit of the Future Asks – “What If We Get It Right?”

The United Nations Foundation recently launched Once Upon a Future, a global campaign calling on young people to engage in the Summit of the Future and join the millions of people worldwide taking action for our common future.

Hosted by the United Nations, the first-of-its-kind Summit brought decision-makers together with civil society and young people to reset and reboot global cooperation to better manage the risks and opportunities of the 21st century.

Once Upon a Future highlighted the stakes of the Summit for Gen Z and future generations, and amplified their calls for leaders to agree on the Pact for the Future — a new agreement that would strengthen the multilateral system to better help countries think, plan, and act for the future. The Pact addresses important issues ranging from peace and security to digital cooperation, to how we finance our development goals and better deliver for generations to come.

The Once Upon a Future campaign aimed to swap doom and gloom for optimism and hope for a better future, by asking the simple, yet powerful question: “What if we get it right?” Developed in partnership with award-winning creative agency Droga5, Once Upon a Future went beyond traditional tactics to create a compelling narrative designed specifically to engage a young, global audience. In addition to highlighting the voices and expectations of young people, the campaign also encouraged people to take small actions in their daily lives to help build a better future for all through the ActNow platform.

Once Upon a Future campaign utilized a suite of eye-catching graphics, animations, and video content to drive awareness and understanding around the Summit and its outcomes. Once Upon a Future put young people at the center, elevating their expectations and aspirations through user-generated content.

To engage young people — especially Gen Z — the centerpiece of the campaign was a youth-centric broadcast of the Summit developed in partnership with Droga 5 and produced by Tim Bierbaum and 1stAveMachine that premiered on YouTube. The broadcast unpacked the Summit and Pact for the Future so that it is both educational and entertaining for a young audience by featuring creators and content they care about — meeting them where they are. Hosted by Lea’h Sampson and Hallie Haas, the Broadcast also featured Heidi Becker, Felipe Neto, Dan Rosen, Pooja Tripathi, and Liah Yoo alongside other creators and UN experts.

“The Summit of the Future may be taking place in New York, but everyone has a stake in this,” said Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the UN Foundation. “When we imagine our world in 10, 50, or 100 years it’s clear: the future belongs to young people and the generations that follow. They have the biggest stake in this Summit and that is why we launched this campaign: to help bring the Summit to them.”

“In a world facing obstacles, it’s time for bold action,” said David Ohana, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer of the UN Foundation. “Working closely with the UN we are determined to not only raise awareness but also drive lasting change — through exciting, thought-provoking and unconventional approaches.”