Gen Z & Manifestos: The Disconnect and Possible Fixes
What the heck is a manifesto?
The idea of a manifesto is not new! It is presumed that the first manifesto goes as far back as the 16th century. A manifesto is used as a tool to promote political and social movements. Two of the most notable manifestos are the Declaration of Independence and the Manifesto of the Communist Party by Marx and Engels. However, younger generations may be hearing of this concept for the first time.
The definition of a manifesto can be simply put forth as a ‘written statement outlining what a person or group stands for and how they plan to effect change.’ (Masterclass, 2022)
In this blog post, I aim to look at young people, mainly Gen Z students, and their understanding of the term ‘manifesto’. I will then delve into 3CL’s very own manifesto, ‘Young People and Information’ and touch on a few project ideas that could resonate more with Gen Z and thus, generate more engagement on their end.
The disconnect between younger generations and manifestos from the viewpoint of GenZ
We asked Chat GPT if young people are familiar with the term ‘manifesto’, and this is the answer it produced:
Yes, many young people are familiar with the concept of a manifesto. In its simplest form, a manifesto is a public declaration of beliefs, intentions, or goals, often associated with political or social movements. Young people may encounter manifestos in various contexts, such as in discussions about activism, literature, art, or even within educational settings. With the rise of social media and digital platforms, manifestos have also become more accessible and widely shared among younger demographics, particularly those interested in advocating for change or expressing their perspectives on important issues. Therefore, while not all young people may be familiar with the term “manifesto,” many will likely understand its meaning or have encountered similar concepts in their everyday lives.
An ambiguous answer to say the least. We therefore tried to get a first-hand perspective on the matter by talking to a group of university students and asking them what they understood by the term. The conclusion was that none of them were sure!
However, after explaining what it was, there was a shared response among the group. Reading a manifesto may seem outdated to these students, as they continue to share the common thread that today most of the social movements and political issues they learn about come from their phone, usually in the form of a video.
A manifesto is nothing that cannot be conveyed through film or media. Today, the most influential platform to reach people, young and old, is the media. Today’s manifesto would be most successful if it is projected through social media, i.e. TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook. These platforms have a young audience constantly looking for new information and ideas. This is an opportunity to connect with GenZ and educate them and get them engaged on issues highlighted in the manifesto.
There is always an audience for what you are doing, and using platforms that reach millions of people can help you find that audience. There are also many ways to make it more appealing to the wider audience, such as having concise posts and videos so fewer people skip through them and engage directly with them.
The power of social media is enormous and should not be taken for granted. Social movements and initiatives can gain an enormous following, especially when the issue affects every viewer.
Projects, ideas, and actions from the Manifesto that have real opportunity to incite change
Do you ever think of the terms and agreements you agree to on every app? Do you know what is really within those terms? Or do you know how it can feel like your phone is listening to you? The 3CL manifesto entitled ‘Young People and Information’ aims to highlight young people’s relationship with technology and targets predominantly policymakers. It also gives an overview of the production, consumption, and sharing of online information.
On page twelve and thirteen of the ‘Young People and Information’ Manifesto, there are fourteen project ideas that could arise from the Manifesto. As a Gen Z person, I will go over what could be the most influential and successful today in my generation.
- ‘ Series of podcasts on young people and information, by young people.’
The idea of hosting a podcast about this topic is fantastic because there is not a lot of information related to it. There is an audience for this and there is no new information that is easily accessible to them being released. To do a bi-weekly podcast on the positives, negatives, dangers, and news on information and young people could be a great success.
- ‘Meetings between young people and policymakers in the Euro-med region to discuss changes in curricula, which may include media and technology literacy.’
There is a large intergenerational disconnect between media and technology literacy. GenZ has grown up with technology and relied heavily on it through its formative years. Policy makers today have been introduced to it later in life, and in return do not have the same perspective or relationship with technology as GenZ does. Policymakers could largely benefit from having open discussions with the younger generations on technology. Hearing from another side of this issue could make changes in policies and opinions of lawmakers.
- Books, pamphlets, posters, vlogs, and videos addressing elements of the manifesto.’
As discussed earlier in this post, the use of social media to educate younger generations should not be taken lightly. It has great potential to reach people who may be interested in this topic and get them engaged and following. TikTok is a great platform as it offers the chance to get your message across, fast and concisely and create a series for people to follow. You can then connect to other social media platforms so people can get engaged.
Posters would be the other thing I would take away from this idea mentioned in the manifesto. As my generation is mostly online, I do not feel that books and pamphlets could have the same engagement level, and thus, would not be as successful. However, intriguing posters, perhaps created in collaboration with a local artist, could intrigue people and bring them in. It is also an opportunity to be shared online if people enjoy it. It could be something bold and captivating that takes a direct stand, or it could be more mellow, simple and straightforward.
It has to be said that creating posters and partnering with local artists allows us to connect with more locals. Putting up these posters in areas like the Campus Hub at the University of Malta, the MCAST Campus, busy areas in Sliema, and bus stops, is a great opportunity.
- Conferences and workshops organised by young people for millennials and GenerationZ in positions of influence.
Workshops and conferences are a great opportunity to engage with people from many different backgrounds but with a similar interest or focus. Designing workshops can be an opportunity for people to learn more about the manifesto and get engaged through activities and discussions.
Allowing students and locals to learn more about the manifesto can only be positive, just like the conversation held with Joe Toscano in Autumn of last year.
- Facilitation of networks of young people interested in digital and media literacy.
Organising the connection of young people who are interested in digital and media literacy is a fantastic opportunity to not only introduce them to the manifesto but also give them the power to have discussions and movements of their own. It could be a good idea to introduce a club or project at the University of Malta, MCAST and other collaborative spaces where people who are interested in the topic can get engaged.
Conclusion
The manifesto should resonate with anyone in possession of a phone. The reason many people do not strive to be activists when it comes to this topic is because there is not enough accessible information and opportunities for them to participate. Dedicated spaces such as clubs and the organisation of projects and events such as talks, and workshops can get the younger generation included in the movement behind the manifesto.
GenZ are going to be lawmakers one day; therefore, it is best to incite change and interest now through the tools the media offers as well as visits from influential speakers and collaborations with local artists.
