Breakfast with Mark Brennan

It was great to join today’s Lunch with Leaders session with Dr. Mark Brennan — a thought-provoking conversation on the role of young people in shaping more peaceful, connected and resilient communities.

A key takeaway: youth aren’t just future leaders—they are critical stakeholders right now.

As youth populations continue to grow globally, so too does their influence. They bring fresh perspectives, challenge moral and ethical blind spots, and are often at the forefront of change across complex global issues.

But engagement isn’t just about inclusion—it’s about equipping young people with the right skills to navigate an increasingly complex world:

• Building knowledge and global awareness
• Strengthening social and emotional competencies like empathy and self-awareness
• And most importantly, enabling action, not just understanding

What stood out most was the idea that change doesn’t trickle down—it bubbles up through communities. And young people sit right at the heart of that intersection between community, connection and change.

So what can we do?

• Create space for youth voice and leadership
• Support programs that build empathy, critical thinking and self-efficacy
• Actively mentor, listen and learn
• And importantly, practice empathy in our everyday interactions

Because if we want stronger, more connected communities in the future, we need to start by investing in the people shaping them today.