Millennials Stand for Globalism and Want to Shape the Future
About 90 Percent of “Future Shapers” Across the World Say
Collaboration Leads to a Better Global Future
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New research commissioned by Western Union shows that millennials across
15 countries are united by a belief in globalization, want the freedom
to experience the opportunities it brings, and have a desire to play a
role in shaping the future using technology. The survey of more than
10,000 millennials reveals that this group is confident that
globalization will make the world a better place for themselves and
others and are committed to leading the change.
The world—politically, economically, socially, and technologically—is in
flux. But what does this all mean for our future? The
Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) has commissioned a
first-of-its-kind global study about millennials’ beliefs, hopes, and
aspirations for the future and the world that they wish to shape for
themselves and others.
The 2017 Western Union Global Study—“Globalization: A World View of the
Future”—surveyed native, first-generation, and foreign-born
people between the ages of 20-36 in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China,
Egypt, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, United
Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam through online
interviews. Most countries surveyed represent significant millennial
populations.
The survey shows that in sharp contrast to current geopolitics, this
diverse group of tomorrow’s future shapers is united by a belief in a
world of collaboration, unrestricted by geographical borders.
Western Union President and Chief Executive Officer Hikmet Ersek said,
“The world is changing and there is a new economic power shift driven by
a new generation of global citizens. They are shaping the future, and
inspiring others to do the same. They are redefining globalization to
one of ‘personal globalization’ where the pursuit of limitless
cross-border movement, cross-border digital communication, and creative
lifestyle drives new economic power.
“These inspiring future shapers are the leaders of tomorrow and are
looking at how they want the world to be, not only for themselves, but
for all. This generation is made up all kinds of future
leaders—entrepreneurial, corporate, political, and social influencers.
It is vitally important to understand what they think and what they want
the world to look like,” said Ersek.
Western Union operates in 200 countries and territories worldwide, and
commissioned the survey to gain additional insights into the younger
customers it serves through its digital
channels.
The following key findings are highlighted as important to millennials (please
access supporting data in the Key Findings section below):
Global Citizenship: The Way of the Future
Global citizenship is pivotal for creating the world millennials want
for the future, as they believe the concept of belonging to one
individual country is outdated. Millennials view connection and
collaboration as the most critical steps forward to achieving global
citizenship.
Freedom to Be Global Safeguards the Future
The idea of limitless movement empowers millennials, as they believe it
will allow them to control their destiny. The majority of millennials
believe that creating a more open world will unlock opportunities for
better job prospects and result in economic freedom, including the ease
of money movement.
Governing the Future
Today, borders going up across the world—and politicians and governments
reasserting the concept of the nation state—are leading many millennials
to believe that these institutions are not representing their respective
views. However, a significant number of millennials are adamant that
collaboration is essential and believe that shaping the future is up to
them, rather than institutions.
Unity and Inclusiveness
There are mixed sentiments regarding whether the world is at peace,
given concerns that increased racism and nativism may pose a threat to
global citizenship and an open world. Millennials believe the most
important trait to eradicate social discrimination is ensuring that
there is respect for diversity.
In tribute to the future shapers of the world, please view Western
Union’s #LiveMore
#ShareMore. manifesto.
WU-G
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment
services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil, and
Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union
provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable, and convenient
ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments, and
to purchase money orders. As of September 30, 2017, the Western Union,
Vigo, and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a
combined network of over 550,000 agent locations in 200 countries and
territories and over 150,000 ATMs and kiosks, and included the
capability to send money to billions of accounts. In 2016, The Western
Union Company completed 268 million consumer-to-consumer transactions
worldwide, moving $80 billion of principal between consumers, and 523
million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
The 2017 Western Union Global Study
“Globalization: A
World View of the Future” Key Findings:
Global Citizenship: The Way of the Future
Global citizenship is pivotal for creating the world millennials want
for the future, as they believe the concept of belonging to one
individual country is outdated. Millennials view connection and
collaboration as the most critical steps forward to achieving global
citizenship.
-
The majority see themselves as global citizens rather than a citizen
of any one country. This view is shared regardless of if they are
native, first generation, or foreign born (57%). -
Approximately 90 percent agree that a better global future can be
achieved through collaboration. They believe countries need to
collaborate, rather than compete with one another, leading to a better
global future (88%). -
More than 8 in 10 state that the rise of social media has played a
significant role in uniting the world, promoting transparency,
encouraging debate on global issues, and contributing to greater
community unity (84%). -
Nearly two thirds believe that the free flow of technology (60%) and
information (57%) across borders will become easier, but anticipate
the flow of political ideas (61%) and people (60%) to become more
difficult or remain stagnant. -
The majority view connection as a critical step forward to achieve
global citizenship. Staying connected to global news via social media
(49%), connecting with people from different cultures (47%),
travelling to new places (43%), and interacting with people that are
different from themselves (42%) is their way of creating a world they
want for the future.
Freedom to Be Global Safeguards the Future
The idea of limitless movement empowers millennials, as they believe
it will allow them to control their destiny. The majority of millennials
believe that creating a more open world will unlock opportunities for
better job prospects and result in economic freedom, including the ease
of money movement.
-
The desire for global citizenship is also about young people
safeguarding their future. Almost eight in ten agree the thought of a
future with limitless movement around the world empowers them (79%). -
More than two thirds agree they are better off financially due to
their ability to live and work in other countries (71%). -
More than eight in ten agree that their ability to live and work in
other countries will unlock opportunities for a better job and
education (86%), and is a key component to their economic and personal
freedom (82%). -
There is also the hope that people and business will work together,
and that the exchange of commerce and money will become easier by
2030. More than half believe that sending money to a person in another
country is set to get easier by 2030 (56%), with one-third arguing
that a single global currency would foster great global unity (29%). -
Eventually, they believe that the world will take on a more globalized
outlook, with 79 percent believing that the future will fit with the
aspirations of global citizens.
Governing the Future
Today, borders going up across the world—and politicians and
governments reasserting the concept of the nation state—are leading many
millennials to believe that these institutions are not representing
their respective views. However, a significant number of millennials are
adamant that collaboration is essential and believe that shaping the
future is up to them, rather than institutions.
-
More than eight in ten (88%) want to participate or have their say on
future matters of global and national significance. They believe
technology can enable individuals to make their voices heard more
easily. -
Seven out of ten believe future governments will be hybrids of
democratic institutions and individuals—representing the power of
people (70%). -
More than two thirds believe that shaping the future is up to them as
individuals, rather than governments (71%). -
Forty percent believe the creation of a globalized world requires
shared responsibility of all. This includes global and national
stakeholders, such as international organizations, governments, the
private sector, local communities, and individuals, all taking
responsibility. -
Many expressed concerns that governments today are not fulfilling
their hopes or representing their generation’s views. Two thirds
believe that global institutions like the United Nations are more
representative of them, rather than national or local governments (61%
vs. 48% and 44%). Out of the 15 countries surveyed, millennials in:-
US, UK, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Germany said, after global
institutions, their local government represented them better than
their national governments. -
China, Egypt, Indonesia, and Vietnam said, after global
institutions, their national government represented them better
than their local governments. -
Canada, Russia, and the UAE said their national government
represented them better than global institutions and their local
governments. -
And in India, they said, global institutions and national
governments represent them equally, while in South Africa they
believe that their national and local governments represented them
equally, after global institutions.
Unity and Inclusiveness
There are mixed sentiments regarding whether the world is at peace,
given concerns that increased racism and nativism may pose a threat to
global citizenship and an open world. Millennials believe the most
important trait to eradicate social discrimination is ensuring that
there is respect for diversity.-
Millennials are more divided than they are united about whether or not
the world is currently at peace. Nearly 8 out of 10 say the world is
more divided now than it was in 2015. More than half believe it will
be more divided by 2030 (53%), while more than four out of 10 believe
the world will be more united (47%).
-
Those surveyed identify racism and a fear of immigrants as the biggest
threats to global citizenship and an open world (36%), followed by
nationalist politics, religious differences, and outdated immigration
policies. -
The most important traits for achieving global citizenship and
eradicating social discrimination is ensuring that there is respect
for diversity and the ability to embrace other countries. Those
surveyed identify respect for diversity (46%), the ability to embrace
other cultures (43%), and adaptability (39%) as the most important
traits of a global citizen. -
These future shapers believe that tackling issues of racism,
xenophobia, religious intolerance, gender inequality, and freedom to
be anywhere in the world are important to creating an ideal future
world. A future free of racism (42%); barriers based on gender,
religion, culture, or nationality (38%); and the ability to live,
work, and play anywhere in the world (37%) were cited as the three
most important factors for success.
The study consisted of a 15-country survey of 11,060 millennials (ages
20 to 36) with a +1.0% margin of error globally. The survey was
completed in the following countries: Australia (n=1,104, +3.0%), Brazil
(n=660, +4.0%), Canada (1,004, +3.0%), China (n=731, +3.0%), Egypt
(n=578, +4.0%), Germany (n=505, +4.0%), India (n=844, +3.0%), Indonesia
(n=716, +4.0%), Mexico (n=654, +4.0%), Russia (n=654,+4.0%), South
Africa (n=664, +4.0%), the United Arab Emirates (n=500, +4.0%), the
United Kingdom (n=1,009, +3.0%), the United States (n=1,004, +3.0%), and
Vietnam (n=523, +4.0%). A full report for each country as well as the
global results is available upon request. The research was conducted by
Research Now via online interviews from September 26 to October 6, 2017.Contacts
Western Union Media Contacts:
Global:
Pia De
Lima, 1-954-260-5732
pia.delima@wu.com
or
North
America:
Sarah Meske, 1-303-250-9102
sarah.meske@wu.com
or
Latin
America:
Paula Barifouse, +1-954-803-8589
paula.barifouse@wu.com
or
EU
& CIS:
Carolina Laurijssen, +44 (0) 7740 542 203
carolina.laurijssen@wu.com
or
Asia-Pacific:
Ingrid
Sahu, +97 14 437-3656
ingrid.sahu@wu.com
or
Fleishman
Media Contacts:
FleishmanHillard US
fh.wu.mto@fleishman.com
or
FleishmanHillard
UK
WU.CABWTY@fhflondon.co.uk
or
FleishmanHillard
Canada
Jannine.Rane@fleishman.ca -
US, UK, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Germany said, after global
