The Pact for the Future:
A Call to Action for Businesses to Champion Children’s Rights & Youth Voices

Last week, at the UN Summit of the Future, world leaders took a monumental step by adopting the Pact for the Future. It was tense, as last-minute negotiations nearly collapsed the Pact. But in the end, diplomacy prevailed, and when the gavel came down, the room erupted with applause – and a palpable sense of hope. This was more than a diplomatic win; it was a promise to future generations.

Now, this spark of hope must ignite a movement—one where every government, business and individual turns words into action, ensuring the Pact delivers on its bold vision for a better world.

The Pact for the Future is more than a policy document—it is a bold declaration that our current trajectory must change. Emerging from the UN’s “Our Common Agenda,” the Pact serves as a critical roadmap, urging governments, businesses, and civil society to take decisive action to secure a sustainable, equitable future for all. But the time for passive support is over; it’s time for businesses to step up, take responsibility, and be a force for good, particularly when it comes to protecting children’s rights and amplifying the voices of youth.

Children and youth at the centre: the urgent need for business action

At its heart, the Pact for the Future prioritises the rights and well-being of future generations, with annexes emphasising global governance, sustainable development, digital safety, and social justice. Key annexes, such as the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact, make clear that protecting children and youth is not a side issue—it is a central pillar of building a sustainable world.

Crucially, the Pact calls on all stakeholders to listen to young people, bringing their voices into the rooms where decisions are made. For businesses, this is a wake-up call: we can no longer ignore the impact our actions have on the youngest members of society. We must do better.

Why businesses must act now

Businesses have immense power—not just in terms of economic influence, but in shaping the world that today’s children and youth will inherit. Every decision, every policy, and every product has a ripple effect on their lives. The Pact for the Future lays out what needs to be done, but it’s up to businesses to take these words off the page and turn them into action. This is a call to every CEO, board member, and entrepreneur: it’s time to make a stand for children’s rights and youth voices, not just in statements and reports, but through concrete, transformative action.

No more excuses: concrete steps businesses can take

The path forward is clear, and the time to act is now. Here are the steps businesses must take to align with the Pact for the Future and become champions of children’s rights:

1. Conduct child rights impact assssments: Every business decision impacts children in ways you may not even realise. Implement regular assessments to identify, prevent, and mitigate these impacts, from ensuring products are safe to ethical marketing and humane supply chains. Stop treating children as an afterthought.
2. Create safe and inclusive digital spaces: For companies in the technology and telecommunications, or digital sectors, the responsibility to protect children is enormous. Prioritise safety by enforcing strict data privacy, ensuring age-appropriate content, and guarding against online exploitation. If your platform isn’t safe for children, it’s time to fix it.
3. Establish family-friendly workplace policies: Your employees’ children are your concern too. Introduce family-friendly policies—like flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and childcare support. Happy, supported parents are more productive workers, and it’s the right thing to do.
4. Invest in youth engagement initiatives: Young people are not just the future—they are here now, and they have something to say. Set up youth councils, host consultations, and bring young voices into your strategy sessions. Their perspectives will make your business stronger, smarter, and more connected to the next generation.
5. Report transparently on children’s rights: Stop hiding behind vague statements and glossy reports. Provide clear, honest data on how your business is impacting children and youth. Transparency builds trust—especially with young consumers who demand accountability.
6. Collaborate for greater impact: This is not a solo journey. Partner with governments, NGOs, and other businesses to tackle systemic issues affecting children, from child labour to education access. Collaboration amplifies impact and drives meaningful change.

A passionate plea: This is about the future we all share

The Pact for the Future is not just about ticking boxes—it’s about reimagining what business can be. It’s about shifting from profit at any cost to purpose-driven action that puts people—and especially children and youth—first.

So here’s the challenge to businesses everywhere: don’t just support the Pact for the Future—embody it. Lead with purpose. Act with urgency. And let’s build a world where every child and every young person has the chance to thrive. The time to act is not next year, not next month, not next week. It’s today.