Andrew Merz
Legacy is a global campaign by Common Purpose, which invests in young people across the world so they can become a connected generation of leaders with a clear vision for what their legacy will be.
The Generation
Legacy Initiatives are for young people aged 18-25, from across a city or country. They are an amazingly diverse group: some in employment, some not; some studying, some volunteering. Many will be passionate activists, others will be finding their own causes. Legacy Initiatives reach young people from very different backgrounds and beliefs – the only thing they have in common is their generation.
The Legacy
Legacy Initiatives challenge a generation to think 20-30 years ahead – to a significant anniversary for their city or country – and think through what their legacy will be.
Why Legacy?
Because the world needs:
Impact
Legacy can deliver impact in three different but connected areas:
Read the Chicago200 Impact Report here.
All Legacy Initiatives build the Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and human capital of a generation through experiential leadership programmes. The programmes can take various formats – both in person and online – getting young people to work together in different ways.
Tackle a common, compelling
challenge in your city/country
3 x full days
100-200 participants
Human Capital
Social and Civic Capital (with the
support of stakeholders)
Tackle a common, compelling
challenge in your city/country
4 x half days
100-200 participants
Human Capital
Social and Civic Capital (with the
support of stakeholders)
Develop Cultural Intelligence (CQ) to work across divides in your city/country
6 x hours of content spread across 2 weeks
Up to 2,000 participants
Human Capital
Social Capital
Develop Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and tackle a common, compelling challenge in your city/country
10x hours of content spread over 4 weeks
Up to 1,000 participants
*Blended learning (self-directed & real-time)
In person/online (real-time engagement)
Young leaders address a local challenge as part of an experiential leadership programme. They will either go out into their communities or come together online to investigate issues, collaborate, hold difficult conversations and work up ideas. They will then test, refine and either implement their ideas or present them to leaders in their city. As the diverse group innovate together, they develop the Cultural Intelligence (CQ) to cross boundaries in their city.
Legacy programmes are intergenerational, giving participants the opportunity to work with 30 - 50 established leaders who act as group advisors, speakers and immersion hosts. These established leaders benefit from seeing the world through the eyes of the next generation.
Online (self-directed learning)
Using our interactive platform, a diverse group of young leaders convene online to learn leadership skills and develop the Cultural Intelligence (CQ) needed to work together across boundaries in their city or country.
Participants work through a series of online modules at their own pace, engaging in interactive exercises, hearing leadership stories from local leaders and sharing their own experiences and perspectives. Participants also have the opportunity to connect in "real-time" on a weekly webinar, to build social capital and hear first-hand from established leaders in their city or country.
2048 will mark 100 years since a team at the University of Manchester developed “The Baby”, the world’s first modern computer. It was a moment of innovation that has defined the lives not only of their generation but of every generation after them. GM100 will bring together 100 young leaders to address the question: “What will the legacy of our generation be?”
In 2032, it will be 150 years since Newcastle was formally granted city status. Newcastle150 convenes a diverse group of leaders, aged 18-25, from across Newcastle to address the question: "What will the legacy of our generation be?" Because after all, you are the generation who will shape the city when it reaches 150.
In 2035, Nigeria will be 75 years old – how will you shape your country's future? What will be your legacy? Nigeria75 convenes a diverse group of leaders from across Nigeria to address the question: "What will the legacy of our generation be?” Because after all, you are the generation who will shape Nigeria when it reaches 75.
We are looking for leaders from all backgrounds to contribute to Legacy Initiatives – sharing their insight and, in the process, seeing their city or country through the eyes of the next generation. We need speakers, panellists, mentors and immersion hosts. If you want to be a contributor, sign up below.