If you have had the opportunity to hear industry or government leaders speak in recent months, the chances are that, at some point, one of them will have used an increasingly popular acronym to describe today’s world: “Vuca”, which stands for Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous. Cliched or not, that is a fair summary of the kind of global environment that your child will need to engage with and thrive in as an adult, an environment where change is accelerating at a far more rapid pace from one generation to next than ever before.
The preeminent concerns of young people will be crucial in setting the agenda for and shaping this future, creating a new world order where new ideas, new jobs and new life choices will proliferate.
Here at The Learning Lab, we’re committed to exposing our students to these issues at an early age, even getting them to learn more about working professionals whose jobs put them at the centre of all these important new global changes, such as marine biologists or experts in artificial intelligence.
You can get a glimpse of the kind of critical thinking and questioning we want to foster here. And if you are wondering what these key real-world issues are, look no further than the five we have listed below:
1. Climate Change and Sustainability
The prospect of an Earth irreversibly damaged and made inhospitable to humans by climate change and ecological destruction is no longer a distant one, but a very real possibility that could manifest in the lifetimes of today’s children.
Your child is growing up in a time where he or she can no longer rest easy in the belief that “somewhere” wildlife is still thriving, but has to face the unpleasant truth that, after decades of systemic environmental exploitation and abuse by previous generations, many of the fascinating animals they see in their picture books or at the zoo will no longer exist by the time their children are born.
The effects of climate change and global warming are also wreaking havoc on weather patterns, causing more frequent and unpredictable natural disasters such as floods, landslides and cyclones that can sweep through urban areas, destroying homes and livelihoods.
The urgency of the climate change issue is galvanising youth all around the world, best exemplified perhaps by 17-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
2. Emerging Technologies and the Digitalisation Wave
The nature of work is also changing rapidly across all sectors of the economy, buoyed by an increasing awareness of and willingness to digitalise existing processes, as well as to use emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
Your child will need to have a keen understanding of the technologies being implemented, and what these will mean for his or her chosen career path, in order to be best placed to ride the digitalisation wave.
For example, artificial intelligence has the potential to automate certain processes in the medical sector such as diagnosis, freeing up medical professionals for more value-added tasks. The question of what these value-added tasks will be is something that is being worked out right now, and your child will need to be on top of these new developments as industries pivot towards a new digital reality.
3. Gender Rights and Equality
Gender rights have been an important societal issue for many years.
However, the debate has shifted considerably from simply getting more women into the workforce in the post-World War Two years to tackling entrenched sexist attitudes that are more insidious and harder to talk about; from misogynistic behaviour in the workplace to outright sexual assault, as well as pushing for more equal representation in certain industries.
Whatever your opinion on the #MeToo movement, it has truly been a global force that has managed to expose just how endemic such sexist attitudes are, and how harmful these attitudes can be for young men and women alike.
Distorted and sexist narratives can now spread through the Internet and social media like wildfire for this generation of digital natives, and parents and educators have a very important role to play in making sure the wrong beliefs or attitudes do not stick with children.
4. Increased Polarisation of Societies and Xenophobia
The recent United States presidential election, perhaps the most polarising ever, is a sign of the times, showing how even one of the most developed countries in the world can be so divided along racial, class and economic faultlines.
Your child will need to be aware of and sensitive to the immense pressures most societies around the world are facing, as certain segments of the population push back against the negative side effects of rapid change from globalisation and digitalisation.
This is especially important in Singapore, a multicultural immigrant society that cannot afford to close itself off to the world, and that is dealing with an ageing population which can potentially be left behind.
5. Mental Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has, among other changes, brought about an increased awareness of mental wellbeing among workers and students, issues that were previously either conveniently overlooked or unfairly stigmatised by society.
Attitudes will take some time to shift in a significant way, but your child will be part of a generation that has a genuine opportunity to create and enjoy that shift as future employers and decision makers.
How will they push for greater inclusivity and empathy at the workplace, and how will they design policies that create a safe space for those struggling with mental health conditions without exposing such individuals to unwanted scrutiny and bias?
Nurturing Critical, Empathetic Thinkers Ready for the Future
Raising your child’s awareness of global issues at a young age is an excellent way to prepare them for the future. The earlier they learn to critically examine these issues, the better off they will be to take advantage of them.
At The Learning Lab, we believe in preparing our students to excel not only in the classroom, but also for a future where the key concerns of the young will shape global discourse.
Watch what happens when our students, who have been equipped with critical thinking skills and educated about various global issues, question and challenge various industry experts who have dedicated their lives to trying to change the world for the greater good.
Joseph and Wen Yu meet Dr. Neo Mei Lin, a marine biologist who discusses marine conservation, global warming, and a surprising fact about our S$10 note.
Does it matter where and how we grow our food? Illy and Immanuel find out from Jolene Lum, Founder and CEO of Urban Tiller Singapore.
Dean Ho, an expert in artificial intelligence, shares with Rita and Wei-En how A.I. can make significant improvements to healthcare.
The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may contact us at 6733 8711 or drop us an email at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.
The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may fill in the form below or contact us at 6733 8711 / enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.