‘Davos for students’: the brightest undergrad brains ponder the big issues

Over the past three days, 70 people considered the world’s top students have been in Dublin trying to sort out problems such as climate change, global conflict and the future of education. No pressure, then.

Describing itself as Davos for students, the UA Global Summit, organised by the Undergraduate Awards programme, comes with the kind of programme notes that would send anyone who got a mere 2.1 degree skulking away in embarrassment. Yet there is no hint of arrogance among these students, just enthusiasm.

The event concluded last night with the presentation of awards at Dublin City Hall. We asked attendees what the future holds.

JOSH ZOFFER
21, studying international relations and economics at Harvard University
What's the biggest challenge facing your generation?

“Apathy. I think our generation faces a crisis of individualism. People are often more focused on themselves than on large problems, and the big challenge is to change that.”

Are you optimistic or pessimistic for your generation?

“Optimistic. We have one of the most talented, best-educated generations in world history entering adulthood. We have more resources to help mobilise people and to fight problems.”

What big idea do you have?

“Consumer social responsibility: getting people to buy products that are sourced and produced responsibly, getting people to care about where everything they buy comes from – that is one of the best ways of getting corporations to change the way they do business.”

AMY BURNSIDE
23, studying English literature at Queen's University Belfast

What's the biggest challenge facing your generation?
"Our worth as people has come to be defined by what we do. And struggling to find meaningful work for young people has affected self-esteem. I think depression has really spiralled because of that, and, particularly in Ireland, a lot of people have left to find that meaning, which is not always available here."

Are you optimistic or pessimistic for your generation?
"I think there is a great sense of hope that it doesn't have to be the way it is now forever. Particularly in Ireland, I think things are moving in the right direction. It's just very slow."

What big idea do you have?
"Greater dialogue between disciplines. When people talk about their passion and share it with you, you can find out things you didn't know about your own discipline, and can work together to make something more valuable."

ANSHUMAN PAL
23, studying physics at the University of Pennsylvania

What's the biggest challenge facing your generation?
"Maybe a surfeit of choices. Our generation has it pretty easy compared to the last generation, who worked pretty hard. I think it's time for us to look around and try to create more equality in the world."

Are you optimistic or pessimistic for your generation?
"Optimistic, because we are now in an era where social institutions have kind of stabilised society. Despite bumps here and there, there is a general movement forward."

What big idea do you have?
"In the 20th century, sciences were very distinct domains. I see them fusing together, and this leads to many new discoveries and great ideas."

BRENDAN FOX
33, studying fine art and media at the National College of Art and Design, and curator of the Foundation 13 public art project in Tullamore, Co Offaly

What's the biggest challenge facing your generation?
"To try to exist in a tangible world, still. As much as social media is important, these past three days has taught people who are very technically minded that when you are actually in a room together the electricity and ideas flow so much more readily."

Are you optimistic or pessimistic for your generation?
"Optimistic. I don't think there is any point being pessimistic. I think we are optimistic creatures by design, anyway."

What big idea do you have?
"Towns and cities should not just be considered places of commerce. We also need to surround ourselves with creativity and arts, and that needs to be visible on our streets."

MOEKA KOMACHI
20, studying applied psychology at the University of Hong Kong

What's the biggest challenge facing your generation?
"Being overwhelmed by having too much going on, in terms of choices and so much knowledge out there. I don't know if I'm choosing the right things."

Are you optimistic or pessimistic for your generation?
"Can I say 'realistic' instead of 'pessimistic'? Unless we are guided to try to figure out what to do with our knowledge, I feel, we are just going to be left overwhelmed and lost."

What big idea do you have?
"Being able to extend beyond your comfort zone."