Well-being and Future Generations approaches across the world
Wales is not the only country that is legislating for well-being and or the protection of the interest of future generations. This map below shows the approaches being taken in many other countries to transition to a well-being economy or legislate for future generations. Some of these countries and global institutions have been inspired by Wales’ Well-being of Future Generations Act to take action.
Well-being and Future Generations approaches across the world
This map outlines how the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales (FGC) and the Well-being of Future Generations Act in Wales (WFGA) has influenced global institutions and governments in other countries to commit to future generations governance.
Wales
Advocacy & shared learning
FGC have an established agreement with Welsh Government to support Wales as a globally responsible nation, and to champion the Well-being of Future Generations Act on a global stage.
Scotland
Scottish Government
Member of NIFG
Scotland has committed to a ‘Well-being and Sustainable Development Bill’ in their Programme for Government in 2021; Scotland’s bill will make it a statutory requirement for all public bodies and local authorities in Scotland to consider the long-term consequences of their policy decisions on the well-being of the people they serve, including those not yet born. The Scottish Government is also exploring options around creating a Future Generations Commission. FGC have supported and advised the Scottish Government. Scotland is chair of the Well-being Economies Government Network (WeGo) and has a long-established National Performance Framework around well-being and sustainable development.
Ireland
Green Party
A private member’s bill was introduced in 2023 in the Irish Parliament by TD Marc O Cathasaigh to create an independent Commission for Future Generations to act as a guardian for the future generations of Ireland.
New York. USA
United Nations – UN Secretary General’s Office
In September 2021, the United Nations Secretary-General published his flagship report ‘Our Common Agenda’. The proposals included the creation of a UN Special Envoy for Future Generations; A Summit of the Future in 2024; and a UN Declaration for Future Generations.
United Nations – UN Systems
To mobilise awareness and action on future generations within the UN System, FGC has supported the High-Level Committee on Programmes to produce ‘Future Generations Principles for the United Nations’.
United Nations – UN Member States
FGC have hosted a variety of events at global UN summits including UN Stockholm +50 summit in 2022 with the UN Foundation. At the summit, 16 UN Member States signed a ministerial declaration called the Contract for Our Future, led by the Environment Ministers of Kenya and Sweden, committing to support Future Generations governance within the UN system.
United Kingdom
House of Lords
The FGC have long supported and advised Big Issue founder Lord John Bird in introducing a private member’s bill that brings long-term thinking to Westminster politics.
School of International Futures
Front Page - School of International Futures
NIFG Member
Paris. France
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
The OECD published their ‘Global Trends’ report in 2020 – placing the WFGA as a pioneering example for the world to follow.
Japan
Fridays for Future Japan
FGC have been advising Fridays for Future Japan who have been working with the Democratic Party of Japan to draft a ‘Future Generations Act’ and to establish a multi-party ‘Future Generations Committee’ in Japan’s parliament.
Member of NIFG
Gibraltar
Sustainable Development and Future Generations Commissioner
Member of NIFG
Canada
Hungary
Deputy Commissioner for Fundamental Rights & Ombudsman for Future Generations
Member of NIFG
Netherlands
Ombudsman for Future Generations
Worldconnectors Future Generations – Worldconnectors
Member of NIFG
Phillipines
Member of NIFG
Denmark
Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies
Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (cifs.dk))
Member of NIFG
Global Youth Movement for Future Generations
The Commissioner’s Future Generations Leadership Academy Alumni Network have become champions for the WFGA and continue to support and advise international organisations and government representatives.
As part of the Future Generations Policy Toolkit, we have launched the Future Generations Global Ambassadors – 25 young people from around the world (including Wales) to share learning, mobilise youth for future generations and create global change.
Network of Institutions for Future Generations
The Network of Institutions for Future Generations (NIFG) consists of a diversity of institutions, highlighting the need to safeguard the needs, rights and interests of future generations through different structures and across various disciplines. NIFG was chaired for five years by the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and continues to provide secretariat support and membership. NIFG have committed to expanding and diversifying the network from 2022 onwards. You can find our new members on the digital map. FGC also commissioned NIFG research to inform and influence global discussions, which was recently recognised by the UN Secretary-General in his recent Policy Brief: Future Generations.
Country influences
With over 7 years’ worth of experience championing future generations models and governance, we always ready to support countries who are keen to adopt similar approaches. In 2023, we launched the Future Generations Policy Toolkit, in partnership with Foundations for Tomorrow to help advise policymakers on the steps they should take to implement future generations governance. Over recent years, we have been pleased to see other countries and regions develop future generations into their work, following our discussions and input – including Gibraltar (who have a Sustainable Development and Future Generations Commissioner) and Scotland (who have committed to a ‘Well-being and Sustainable Development’ Bill).
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