The “We Want to Do More Than Survive” Framework: A Deep Dive
This initiative, born from a recognition of escalating global challenges, seeks to redefine progress beyond mere existence. It emphasizes proactive solutions,
collaboration, and a human-centered approach to navigate complex futures.
Context and Origins of the Initiative
The “We Want to Do More Than Survive” framework emerged from a growing consensus that traditional approaches to global challenges are insufficient. Discussions at the World Economic Forum, particularly leading up to and during Davos 2025, highlighted a critical need to shift focus from simply mitigating risks to actively building a more resilient and equitable future.
The initiative’s roots lie in observations of accelerating technological change – especially the rise of Artificial Intelligence – and its potential to disrupt established societal norms and career paths. Concerns about widening generational divides and the urgent threat of climate change further fueled the need for a new paradigm. The Global Risks Report 2025 underscored these vulnerabilities, prompting leaders to seek collaborative solutions.
Ultimately, the framework represents a response to a perceived lack of human-centricity in technological advancement and a desire to ensure that innovation serves humanity’s broader aspirations, rather than merely enabling survival.
The World Economic Forum’s Role in Promoting the Framework
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has been instrumental in championing the “We Want to Do More Than Survive” framework, positioning it as a central theme for its Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Switzerland. The WEF facilitated crucial discussions amongst global leaders, fostering a collaborative environment to explore the framework’s implications and potential implementation strategies.
Through its platforms, the WEF disseminated key reports like the Global Risks Report 2025 and the Top 10 Emerging Technologies report, providing data-driven insights that underpin the framework’s urgency. The WEF actively promoted the idea of a human-centered approach to technological advancement, advocating for solutions that prioritize societal well-being alongside innovation.
By convening stakeholders from diverse sectors, the WEF aims to translate the framework’s principles into concrete actions, driving progress towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Their role is to catalyze collaboration and accelerate the adoption of this vital initiative.
Key Themes: Beyond Basic Existence
The core of the “We Want to Do More Than Survive” framework lies in shifting the focus from simply overcoming immediate threats to proactively building a thriving future. This necessitates addressing existential risks like climate change – not merely as an environmental issue, but as a threat to humanity itself – demanding urgent, human-centered solutions.
Furthermore, the framework grapples with the transformative impact of the technological revolution, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI). It acknowledges that while AI presents immense opportunities, it also risks rewriting career paths and exacerbating societal inequalities. The emphasis is on ensuring technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
Ultimately, the framework champions collaboration across generations and sectors, recognizing that navigating these complex challenges requires collective ingenuity and a shared commitment to a future where everyone can flourish, not just survive.
Addressing Existential Threats: Climate Change
Climate change is framed not as an environmental concern, but as a direct threat to human survival and well-being within the “We Want to Do More Than Survive” framework. This reframing necessitates a shift towards urgent action fueled by a distinctly human-centered lens.
The initiative stresses that solutions must prioritize the needs and vulnerabilities of people most affected by climate change, fostering resilience and equitable adaptation strategies. It calls for moving beyond solely focusing on mitigating emissions to actively building a future where communities can thrive despite the impacts of a changing climate.
This approach demands innovative solutions, collaborative efforts, and a fundamental re-evaluation of our relationship with the planet, recognizing that safeguarding humanity is inextricably linked to protecting the Earth’s ecosystems.
Navigating the Technological Revolution (AI)
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence presents both immense opportunities and significant risks, central to the “We Want to Do More Than Survive” framework. The initiative acknowledges that AI’s development has often been driven by interests other than human well-being, potentially leading to societal disruption and the erosion of traditional career paths.
A key concern is the rewriting of career dreams, as AI automates tasks previously performed by humans. The framework advocates for proactive measures to reskill and upskill the workforce, preparing individuals for the jobs of the future and ensuring equitable access to new opportunities.
Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for ethical guidelines and responsible AI development, prioritizing human agency and control, and preventing the exacerbation of existing inequalities. The goal is to harness AI’s power for the benefit of all humanity, not just a select few.
The Intelligent Age: Collaboration as a Core Principle
The “We Want to Do More Than Survive” framework positions collaboration as absolutely fundamental to navigating the complexities of the “Intelligent Age.” Recognizing the interconnectedness of global challenges – from climate change to technological disruption – the initiative stresses that no single entity can effectively address these issues in isolation.
The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos underscored this principle, bringing together leaders for discussions centered on collaboration. This collaborative spirit extends beyond governmental and corporate spheres, encompassing civil society, academia, and individuals.
Successfully tackling megatrends requires a unified approach, demanding work together to solve challenges around access and scalability. The framework champions open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collective action, believing that ingenuity flourishes when diverse perspectives converge.
Challenges to Collaboration in a Fragmented World
Despite the recognized necessity of collaboration, significant hurdles impede its effective implementation. A key challenge lies in the increasingly fragmented global landscape, characterized by geopolitical tensions, diverging national interests, and a rise in protectionist sentiments. These divisions create barriers to trust and hinder the formation of cohesive, unified responses to shared threats.
Furthermore, growing generational divides – as highlighted in recent discussions – complicate collaborative efforts. Differing values, priorities, and communication styles can lead to misunderstandings and impede the seamless exchange of ideas. Bridging these gaps requires intentional efforts to foster empathy and mutual understanding.
The rapid pace of technological change also presents a challenge, as it can exacerbate existing inequalities and create new forms of fragmentation. Ensuring equitable access to technology and fostering digital literacy are crucial for inclusive collaboration.
Bridging Generational Divides
Recognizing the widening gap between generations is crucial for fostering effective collaboration. Evolving technological landscapes and shifting social norms contribute to diverging perspectives and priorities. Younger generations, digital natives, often prioritize innovation and rapid change, while older generations may value stability and established practices.
Successfully bridging these divides requires intentional dialogue and mutual respect. Creating platforms for intergenerational exchange, where experiences and insights can be shared, is paramount. Mentorship programs, reverse mentorships, and collaborative projects can facilitate understanding and break down stereotypes.
Acknowledging the unique contributions of each generation is essential. Younger generations bring fresh perspectives and technological fluency, while older generations offer wisdom and historical context. Embracing this diversity of thought strengthens collective problem-solving capabilities and builds a more resilient future.
Global Risks Report 2025: Identifying Key Vulnerabilities
The 2025 Global Risks Report serves as a critical assessment of the interconnected challenges facing the world. It analyzes potential disruptions, ranging from environmental catastrophes and geopolitical instability to economic shocks and technological failures, supporting informed decision-making.
This year’s report highlights the escalating risks associated with climate change, emphasizing its potential to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and trigger cascading crises. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence also presents both opportunities and risks, demanding careful consideration of ethical implications and societal impacts.
Furthermore, the report underscores the importance of addressing systemic inequalities and strengthening global cooperation. Failure to do so could amplify existing risks and hinder efforts to build a more resilient and sustainable future. Proactive risk mitigation and collaborative strategies are essential for navigating an increasingly complex and uncertain world.
Top 10 Emerging Technologies and Their Impact
The World Economic Forum’s latest report unveils ten technologies poised to reshape our lives, demanding careful consideration of their societal and ethical implications. These innovations span diverse fields, from biotechnology and sustainable materials to advanced computing and quantum technologies.
Among the highlighted technologies, advancements in generative AI and sustainable food systems stand out as particularly impactful. Generative AI’s potential to rewrite career dreams necessitates proactive workforce adaptation, while sustainable food systems are crucial for addressing climate change and ensuring food security.
However, the report cautions that technological advancement, while promising, hasn’t consistently prioritized human well-being. A human-centered approach is vital to ensure these technologies serve humanity, fostering equitable access and mitigating potential risks. Collaboration and responsible innovation are key to harnessing their power for a sustainable future.
The Human-Centred Approach to Technological Advancement
Shifting the focus from purely technological progress to human well-being is paramount. Recent years have witnessed innovation driven by diverse interests, often neglecting humanity’s core needs. A human-centered lens prioritizes equitable access, ethical considerations, and the mitigation of potential harms arising from emerging technologies.
This approach demands a proactive assessment of how technologies impact individuals, communities, and future generations. It necessitates inclusive design processes, ensuring diverse voices shape technological development. Addressing existential threats like climate change requires solutions that prioritize human survival and flourishing.
Ultimately, a human-centered approach isn’t about slowing innovation, but about guiding it towards outcomes that benefit all of humanity, fostering a future where technology empowers rather than diminishes our collective potential. It’s about doing more than simply surviving.
Access and Scalability: Ensuring Equitable Solutions
Addressing the immense challenges posed by global megatrends requires a concerted effort to ensure solutions are accessible and scalable for all. Simply developing innovative technologies isn’t enough; equitable distribution and widespread implementation are crucial for meaningful impact.
This necessitates overcoming barriers related to infrastructure, affordability, and digital literacy. Collaboration between governments, private sector entities, and civil society organizations is essential to bridge these gaps. We must work together to dismantle systemic inequalities that limit access to vital resources and opportunities.
Ingenuity alone won’t suffice; a commitment to inclusivity and social justice is paramount. Scaling solutions effectively demands adaptable strategies tailored to diverse contexts, ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of a sustainable and thriving future.
The Shifting Landscape of Work and Future Skills
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally rewriting the rules of the game when it comes to the world of work and the skills needed to thrive. Traditional career paths are being disrupted, and many long-held professional dreams are being either reshaped or rendered obsolete by automation.
This necessitates a proactive approach to reskilling and upskilling the workforce, focusing on uniquely human capabilities such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Education systems must adapt to prepare individuals for jobs that don’t yet exist, fostering lifelong learning and adaptability.
Navigating this evolving landscape requires a focus on human potential and a commitment to ensuring that the benefits of technological progress are shared broadly, rather than exacerbating existing inequalities.
AI and the Rewriting of Career Dreams
The advent of sophisticated Artificial Intelligence is causing a profound reassessment of career aspirations, particularly for younger generations who envisioned futures now potentially altered beyond recognition. Many professions previously considered secure are facing automation, forcing individuals to reconsider their educational and professional trajectories.
This isn’t simply about job displacement; it’s about the very nature of work evolving. The skills valued in the marketplace are shifting towards those that complement AI – complex problem-solving, creativity, and interpersonal skills. The dream of a stable, predictable career path is giving way to a need for continuous adaptation and learning.
Successfully navigating this requires embracing lifelong learning and focusing on uniquely human capabilities, ensuring individuals can thrive alongside, rather than be replaced by, intelligent machines.
The Urgency of Action: A Human-Centred Lens
The convergence of global risks – from climate change to technological disruption – demands immediate and concerted action, but this action must be fundamentally rooted in human well-being. Simply addressing the symptoms of these crises is insufficient; we must prioritize solutions that enhance human dignity, equity, and resilience.
Climate change, for instance, isn’t merely an environmental issue; it’s a humanitarian one, threatening livelihoods, displacing communities, and exacerbating inequalities. Similarly, technological advancements, while offering immense potential, must be guided by ethical considerations and a commitment to inclusivity.
A human-centred approach necessitates shifting the focus from purely economic metrics to holistic measures of progress, valuing social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and individual fulfillment. The time for incremental change has passed; bold, transformative action is required now.
Davos 2025: Discussions and Outcomes
The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Switzerland, concluded with a renewed emphasis on “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.” Leaders engaged in intensive discussions centered around the “We Want to Do More Than Survive” framework, acknowledging the urgency of addressing interconnected global challenges.
Key themes included navigating the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, fostering intergenerational understanding, and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future. Participants highlighted the critical need for equitable access to emerging technologies and the importance of reskilling initiatives to prepare the workforce for evolving job markets.
Outcomes included commitments to strengthen public-private partnerships, promote responsible innovation, and prioritize human well-being in the face of rapid technological change. The meeting underscored the necessity of a collaborative, human-centered approach to building a more resilient and inclusive world.
Looking Ahead: Implementing the Framework for a Sustainable Future
Successfully implementing the “We Want to Do More Than Survive” framework demands a sustained, multi-faceted effort. This requires translating the collaborative spirit of Davos 2025 into concrete actions across sectors and geographies.
Priorities include scaling innovative solutions to climate change, ensuring responsible development and deployment of AI, and bridging the widening skills gap. Crucially, a human-centered lens must guide all initiatives, prioritizing equity and inclusivity.
Long-term success hinges on fostering stronger global governance, promoting cross-generational dialogue, and investing in education and reskilling programs. Continued monitoring of emerging risks, as outlined in the Global Risks Report 2025, will be essential for adaptive strategies. The framework’s ultimate goal is not simply survival, but a thriving, sustainable future for all.
