Posted in Club of Rome News, News on May 05, 2026.
As part of our ongoing series highlighting pivotal works released in 2025, we turn our attention to a foundational resource designed for the next generation of global stewards.
The Young Person’s Guide to Systems Change, produced by The 50 Percent, a platform for young leaders supported by The Club of Rome, serves as both a manifesto and a practical toolkit for navigating the complexities of current times.
Authors: Nolita Mvunelo, Matias Lara, Vanessa Terschluse, Kristen Miller, Ana Sofía Villa, Japheth Orieny, Ekow Adu-Mensah, Ephie Lumumba, Nonhlanhla Ngwenya, Sara Bechtler, Esther Murunga, Claudius Mbuya.
Empowering the 50 Percent
The Young Person’s Guide To Systems Change is designed as a collaborative space that empowers young people to develop a deep understanding of systems thinking and apply it to transform the world around them.
The guide is rooted in the recognition that young people represent half of the world's population, yet they often find themselves on the periphery of the decision-making processes that shape their future. This publication seeks to bridge that gap, functioning as a collaborative space that empowers young leaders to develop a sophisticated understanding of systems thinking.
Instead of treating issues in isolation, the guide reveals a web of dependency, showing that environmental, social, and economic challenges are inseparable.
Demystifying Complexity
A primary goal of the guide is to challenge the pervasive misconception that systems thinking is a discipline reserved for academics or high-level policy experts.
It challenges the misconception that systems thinking is too complex for young people, recognising their ability to navigate interconnected challenges.The authors argue that young people possess a natural ability to navigate interconnected challenges due to their lived experiences in a globalised, digital era.
The guide breaks down complex systemic concepts into actionable insights, providing:
Frameworks for Transformation: Tools to identify leverage points within existing structures.
Collaborative Mindsets: Strategies for building networks that transcend traditional borders and hierarchies.
Practical Application: Case studies and methods for applying systems logic to local and global advocacy.
A Vision for Structural Transformation
At its core, The Young Person’s Guide to Systems Change is an invitation to move beyond "symptom-level" fixes. It calls for a fundamental transformation of the world around us, driven by a generation that understands that changing the system is the only way to ensure long-term resilience and equity.
By fostering a deep understanding of how systems function, the guide equips young leaders to transition from being participants in the current world order to being the architects of a new one.
Discover more and learn how you can get involved: here.
