On 19 February 2024, the SDG Lab together with Rethinking Economics International and the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) launched a joint call for essays aimed at young people, aged 30 and under, inviting them to share their perspective on the values that should be emphasized in a framework moving beyond GDP.
The question for the competition was as follows:
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a measure of the economic output of a country, has become one of the most powerful metrics of our time. It has, however, been used in unintended ways, including as a proxy for wealth creation, wellbeing, and development. Developing indicators to complement GDP could enhance decision-making in the best interest of people and the planet, and could fundamentally change our priorities and the future. What values and principles would you like to see in a Framework to Value What Counts beyond GDP and what are the challenges to be addressed as a priority?
A total of 630 essays were submitted from 50 different countries, offering insights and perspectives on the values and principles that young people would like to see in a framework moving beyond GDP. All essays were carefully reviewed by a committee composed of experts from the three organizing partners, and the values expressed were noted and integrated into a summary document (forthcoming June 2024). For a glimpse of the values and principles highlighted, consult the Gallery.
On 17 April five of the essay winners, from Brazil, Denmark, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe, joined us in Geneva. They shared their perspectives on moving beyond GDP with leaders and experts from the UN, Member States, academia, and civil society. The meeting titled “What Counts in the Future? A Youth Perspective on Measuring What We Value” was organized in collaboration with UNCTAD and Rethinking Economics.
Download the publication here.
