In The Moral Case for Long-Term Thinking,
Introduction
Will MacAskill argues that future generations matter just as much as those alive today, and that our actions today will shape the destiny of trillions of lives to come. While this may sound abstract, I believe the key to protecting humanity’s long future lies in something very concrete: how we raise and prepare today’s youth for leadership. Through my work at Yhunich Mentors Academy, I have seen that capacity building, public speaking, and leadership training are not just skills for personal growth they are safeguards for humanity’s survival.
Lets dive deeper:
1. Preventing catastrophic leadership failures.
The existential risks we fear: nuclear war, misuse of AI, climate collapse, are not just technical problems, they are leadership problems. An incompetent leader with power over weapons of mass destruction could end millions of lives in a moment of poor judgment. But imagine a future where leaders across societies are trained from youth to communicate effectively, think critically, and act responsibly. The likelihood of reckless decisions, such as “pressing the red button,” drastically decreases. By building leadership-oriented individuals today, we are directly reducing humanity’s risk of self-destruction tomorrow.
2. Creating generational continuity
People are more willing to pass the baton of progress when they have lived in systems worth preserving. If citizens experience a society where leadership is inclusive, where development opportunities are accessible, and where youth are empowered, they will naturally want to safeguard that legacy for the next generation. Training young people in leadership and personal development plants this mindset early, ensuring that progress is not interrupted but sustained.
3. Youths as engines of sustainability.
The youth are the backbone of every society. If neglected, they become a source of instability. But if empowered, they become engines of sustainability. A strong structure for youth development guarantees that future generations inherit not chaos, but competence. This means that both the younger and older generations are safer, since capable youth grow into leaders who protect and advance societal well-being.
4. Other sustainability dividends
Resilient institutions: Trained leaders create stronger governance, reducing corruption and instability.
Innovation for humanity: Confident, skilled young people are more likely to generate solutions to global challenges like climate change and health crises.
5. Global cooperation through mega projects:
Global cooperation through mega projects: The future will require multinational projects that no single country can deliver alone
By building youth with leadership and personal development skills today, we reduce the likelihood of incompetent or reckless leaders tomorrow. A society where leaders are trained to prioritize collective good over selfish ambition is one where the existential risk of nuclear conflict, climate collapse, or technological misuse is drastically reduced.
Such leaders would not only avoid pressing the “red button” that threatens humanity’s survival but would also champion multinational mega projects; initiatives too large for any one nation to achieve alone, but vital for human flourishing. Projects like sustainable energy grids across continents, global disease eradication campaigns, or international AI safety frameworks require cooperation, mutual benefit, and long-term trust. Without a generation trained in leadership and collaboration, these projects are impossible. With them, they become humanity’s insurance policy for the future.
In a nutshell (conclusion)
The moral case for long-term thinking is not only about imagining distant futures, it is about the choices we make in our communities today. Every youth who discovers their capacity to lead, is part of humanity’s insurance policy against existential threats. If we develop enough leaders with the mindset of responsibility and cooperation, humanity’s long future will not only be safer but also brighter. By building people, we build the future.
This essay was written as part of the Essays on Longtermism Competition.