Richard Buttrey

As a parent and not just an educator, of course I believe profoundly in the potential of young people.  They are quite literally the future.  So, whether we have children or not, we should all care about the values that young people develop and espouse and – commensurately – how these collectively influence society.

Philanthropy might not be the first thing you think of in association with young people.  The popular image of a philanthropist is someone who has been extremely successful in life, and who chooses to give back a proportion of their considerable wealth, appreciating that investing in the betterment of society can be more profound than any conventional asset.  However, young people are frequently generous-minded by default.  Whilst they may lack significant financial means, they have a nascent sense of fairness and justice – and a willingness that can be nurtured in a way that brings about other highly beneficial leadership qualities, which in turn are appreciated by elite universities, employers and the world at large.

NextGen works precisely in this space, and I am proud to have been a part.  The participants are chosen carefully based on their academic performance, extracurricular contributions and, perhaps most importantly, their drive to do good.  From diverse backgrounds, each and every student I have worked with has been a joy.  As Program Director, I have sought to take them on a journey with next-generation philanthropy as the backdrop to the development of empathy, situational awareness and strategic intent.  Each year, I am surprised and delighted by how much more the participants can achieve when encouraged but also appropriately challenged.  The qualities of resilience, perseverance and determination that emerge and strengthen are precisely the same as those I seek when I hire employees myself.

As the network of Next Gen alumni grows and more real-world projects thrive, I am certain that the multiplicative effects will become disproportionate.  If you are wondering about applying or are a parent of a young person who might, do not hesitate.  Next Gen is a movement, not just an ephemeral experience.