AS IT IS 2016-08-29 Study Finds Millennials ‘Optimistic’ About the Future

AS IT IS 2016-08-29 Study Finds Millennials ‘Optimistic’ About the Future

A new public opinion survey of young people around the world finds they are optimistic about the world and support progressive, or liberal, values. The study of people between the ages of 18 and 35 is the first World Economic Forum¹ Global Shapers Annual Survey.

People in that age group who answered researchers’ questions are known as millennials. More than 26,000 millennials from 181 countries answered the survey in nine languages. They include business leaders, students, police officers, rich people and those who have little money.

The World Economic Forum says the results tell about the thinking, priorities and concerns of young people from all areas of the world.

Adeyemi Babington-Ashaye heads the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community. He says the results show that young people believe the world offers many opportunities. He says they also believe that technology has an important part in creating jobs.

He says millennials have a sense of unity² and believe they share a destiny: the things they will experience in the future. He says many of those asked support technology, but are worried about it, too.

“Although they embrace technology, there is an overwhelming percentage (that) said that they were either concerned or very concerned about privacy. More than 70 percent said they avoided downloading applications for privacy concerns as well.”

These young people believe corruption³ and a lack of accountability are the most serious problems in their countries. Accountability is the belief by those in government that they must explain their actions or decisions. Millennials expect their leaders to take action while acting⁴ with honesty, humility⁵ and transparency.

Millennials believe climate change is the most serious problem facing the planet, followed by wars, religious conflicts and poverty.

Babington-Ashaye says people working on the poll were surprised by the sympathy so many millennials have for refugees. He says 67 percent of those asked have a positive view of refugees.

“So, not only do they have empathy, but 73 percent would welcome refugees to their country. And you can see it grades down to their city, their neighborhood. We even have 22 percent saying they'd welcome refugees to their home.”

The survey found that millennials prefer to use laptop computers for emailing and online shopping. But they prefer their smartphone for social media activities. More than half said they strongly support same-sex marriage, although most young people in the Middle East and Africa do not.

Fifty percent of those asked believe they can affect how decisions are made in their country. But only 44 percent of Europeans believe they can.

Words in This Story

optimistic – adj. having or showing hope for the future; expecting good things to happen

priority – n. something that is more important than other things and that needs to be done or dealt with first

embrace – v. to accept (something or someone) readily or gladly

humility – n. the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people; the quality or state of being humble⁶

transparency – n. the quality that makes something obvious or easy to understand

empathy – n. the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions

1 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

2 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

3 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

4 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

5 humility   

n.谦逊，谦恭

参考例句：

• Humility often gains more than pride.谦逊往往比骄傲收益更多。
• His voice was still soft and filled with specious humility.他的声音还是那么温和，甚至有点谦卑。

6 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。