FT SPECIAL REPORT The Millennial Generation Part Two

Thursday June 6 2013 www.ft.com/reports | twitter.com/ftreports

This belief has brought tremendous confidence to the world’s first genera- tion of digital natives, despite facing Inside » the worst economic outlook since the great depression. Technology “We have all these incredible gadg- Fighting the ets that connect us to the world,” says ‘big men’ Paul Taylor, executive vice-president of the Pew Research Centre and direc- Kenyan artist tor of its Social & Demographic Gor Soudan on Trends project. “But for them, it’s the puts power wallpaper of their lives and it allows finding a voice them to place themselves at the cen- Page 2 tre of the universe.” With a Facebook page or a Twitter presence, millennials can broadcast their views, ideas and creative output Gender battle globally – and potentially find an Young Brazilian in the hands audience of millions. “That is enormously empowering,” says Mr congresswoman Taylor. “That, as much as anything, seeks to break contributes to their confidence.” While technology might help them ‘male cartel’ feel at the centre of the universe, its Page 2 of the many ability to connect millennials to other communities across the world has also created in many a desire to help solve big global problems. “They’re Selling the idealists and their level of engage- future ment with the things they care about is extraordinary,” says Ms Case. Binny Bansal of She cites research the foundation Flipkart – India’s conducted revealing that millennials want to do more than simply give to answer to Amazon Page 3

‘They’re idealists and their Arab spring Transition As traditional ways of working level of engagement with Activists fight to disappear, the young find value in contributing the things they care about taste fruits of to changing the world, writes Sarah Murray is extraordinary’ revolution Page 4

ew “millennials” – or the gen- “Technology has played a huge role causes they care about. Some 44 per eration aged between 18 and in how they’re different from the cent wanted to know how their dona- 33 – can remember a time generation that came before them,” tions were used and 41 per cent, when On FT.com » when technology has not been says Jean Case, chief executive of the giving, also wanted to know about a fundamental part of their Case Foundation, which she and her volunteer opportunities. Flives. Not only does it answer their husband Steve Case, AOL’s co- “This is a different level of engage- The Millennial questions, but, through social media, founder, created in 1997. ment from young people than we’ve it also gives them the ability to alter This generation sees technology as traditionally seen,” she says. Generation the way in which they are perceived levelling the playing field. In the FT- Again, technology is playing a role. Part One by their peers and the greater world Telefónica Global Millennials Survey Supporting this philanthropic impulse around them. Online tools and smart of 18 to 30-year olds almost 70 per cent are non-profit websites that match Finding a place devices have empowered the genera- of respondents said “technology cre- charities with volunteers or allow within the world tion born since 1980 in a way few ates more opportunities for all” as www.ft.com/millennial previous technologies have done. opposed to “a select few”. ILLUSTRATION: NICK LOWNDES Continued on Page 2 2 ★ FINANCIAL TIMES THURSDAY JUNE 6 2013 The Millennial Generation Part Two Artist turns Politician work into adds edge to protest against gender battle $130m for a joint fund that Brazilian society will invest mainly in new A Marxist at 17, consumer internet groups the ‘big men’ in Brazil. Manuela D’Ávila’s Ms D’Ávila came to office by championing the rights aim is to break the of her generation. A Marx- male stranglehold, ist by age 17, she started in student politics at her uni- writes, Joe Leahy versity in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, before joining the local When people think of the council. She campaigned for millennial generation they more space and facilities for might imagine people who young people in a city that grew up spending their was wrestling with increas- Kenya Katrina Manson meets Nairobi artist every living moment on the ing crime. internet. But Brazilian “The idea of public secu- Gor Soudan to hear an offbeat view of society “Generation Y” politician rity is always that of Manuela D’Ávila defines restricting public space, her age group by far more which for youth has a huge or Soudan is fed up of “big listen,” he says. “That’s what art in than its relationship with impact,” she says. men” – the people who run Africa is doing right now, speaking to technology. She became a congress- the country. Instead the 31- your brother.” Although they are tech woman in 2006 and was year-old Kenyan artist says In their home, works by Mr Soudan savvy – the country has the struck by what she believes he cares more about his and his two flatmates fill the walls, second-largest Facebook is the mutually reinforcing Gfriends and neighbours. “It’s just real- the floors and the space where his bed community in the world male domination of Brazil’s ising who do you want to hear you? should be. About 12 friends hang out after the US – Brazil’s mil- political and business Do you want the people at the top to or work together there, and any local lennials have the proud dis- worlds. Brazil’s Congress is hear you? They’re so way up there, resident is welcome to look in at any tinction of being the first 8 per cent female compared you can shout as much as you want,” time. Their artists’ collective spills generation in recent history with almost 40 per cent for says the up-and-coming artist. into the other rooms and, in the bed- in their country to have neighbouring Argentina or “Speak to your brother. That’s room, his thin mattress is rolled up grown up politically free. 25 per cent in France. someone who will stop and listen.” into a bundle beside a bicycle, bags of While many were born “There is no one reason,” Mr Soudan’s home-cum-studio is a clothes and his works. “I need the during the country’s mili- she says, in reference to the case in point. On the fifth floor of a space,” he shrugs. Generation yes: writing. It’s a critical way of thinking. Friends and neighbours took to the tary dictatorship, which skewed congressional gen- six-storey block – one of the few mul- Despite the upbeat approach to pro- Gor Soudan is So I don’t feel I’m doing anything very streets, targeting police with stones. ended in 1984, few were old der balance. She adds that ti-storey buildings in Nairobi’s sprawl- ducing art, his work is hardly jolly. engaging with his different from what I studied.” In Mr Soudan prefers to take refuge in enough to remember it and it at least partly reflects the ing Kibera slum – his workspace Evidence of his “Angry Birds” series peers through art another piece, he scrawls ink over a his art. While expatriates buy his most have participated in machismo of Brazilian soci- embraces those closest to him. A large is everywhere. A wire-framed crow Pete Muller copy of Kenya’s constitution, pasted work, regularly on show in Nairobi, almost as many elections as ety. “There doesn’t exist a black sheet stuck up on the living glowers on the floor, shrink-wrapped on board to look like a building. many more young Kenyans are buy- their parents. “This is the situation where politics room wall greets visitors who climb in molten black plastic bags. Outsize “They can never tell me I never read ing pieces. “They have, like, 15 paint- first generation that has supersedes the culture of a the stairs. “The Jolly Guys Kibera cardboard daubed with black and blue the constitution,” he laughs. ings, and then they start talking voted according to their society.” Social Club,” reads large white letter- sprays of dribbled shining car paint Mr Soudan has twice been caught about their collection,” he says. true feelings,” says Ms Reinforcing the trend is ing, with the entreaty: “Keep peace.” forms the image of furious crows, up in the violence that has accompa- For him, art is less about ownership D’Ávila, a federal congress that campaign finance was The reference to jolly is a pun on leaning against walls. nied Kenya’s elections. A few years than consumption – including the member from the southern provided by businessmen to the name of a nearby nursery and It is a bleak motif – a homage to the ago, he was at home in Kisumu, an kids who watch him at work. “They state of Rio Grande do Sul. politicians who also hap- also an invocation to the spirit of his crow as an aggressive scavenger, a opposition stronghold and the western see the wires and they see what you At only 31 years of age, Ms pened to be men. They oper- age and place. Hidden among the metaphor for everything from coloni- lakeside town of his birth. There are doing with it, so really they are D’Ávila has already broken ate as a cartel, with the shacks, bad wiring and even worse alism to Kenya’s broken modern poli- police shot dead dozens of people who consuming, looking at the process – most of the existing political dynasties in con- guttering of the country’s biggest tics, from the cultural appropriation protested the results over the course the transformation of this wire from moulds, even for a member gress and their business slum are artists, ad hoc art schools of video games to survival. “You grow of months. rubbish into art,” he says. of a generation accustomed associates making it diffi- and the odd music recording studio. up knowing they’re evil,” he says of He was in Kibera, another opposi- “A gallery [is] some place they to turning traditional mod- cult for newcomers, espe- “Things are just happening,” he says. the black crows that made it over tion stronghold, for the latest round of always just hear about and are not els upside down. cially women, to penetrate “We are also trying to get a feel of it. from India, feeding off trading ships elections in March. “The police pres- allowed to visit. But then they realise She is serving her second their world, she says. We don’t know what’s going on. to Kenya’s hot coastline. “It’s an eas- ence was massive,” he said. “We had that the transformation is art. That’s term in Congress, where The only way to solve the That’s why we choose to just be jolly ier way of talking about people.” helicopters going around the neigh- the consumption. It’s not the end she is the leader of the problem of gender imbal- about it. So it’s a jolly club.” Mr Soudan is a scavenger himself. bourhood; there were lorries of police result.” Communist party of Brazil ance and graft in Congress Although Mr Soudan, who read phi- On a narrow balcony overlooking with AK47s, shining boots and all That means he strives to be an art- faction in the lower house. in the longer term is to pro- losophy at university before becoming the rusting metal roofs of Kibera, a lined up, just going up and down; the ist for all people. “I don’t buy into this Not only is she excep- vide public financing for an artist, had never heard of the mil- profusion of wire sits in a bag waiting rule was, they don’t want to see a Generation Y or X, we are all in this tional for her youth in an campaigns, she adds. lennial generation, he could be its to be bent into his latest work of pro- group of people. So if you were hang- together,” he says. “The 90-year-olds assembly characterised by “For me, public finance local spokesman. “We gave up trying test. For Mr Soudan, his art is a con- ing out with your friends on the and the five-year-olds, we are all in ageing party stalwarts but for campaigns would end to speak to the big men. They don’t tinuation of years of inquiry. “It’s like streets, they’d come for you.” this mess together.” also for the fact she is a corruption. No, nothing will woman. She carries on her end it,” she corrects herself. cellphone a photo of her “But at least it would taken in Congress showing diminish it.” a young elegantly dressed In the meantime, she says woman adrift in a sea of one of the great steps for- grey-bearded suits, which ward for women in Brazil Post-Soviet youth perceives world of opportunity illustrates the point that was the election of the Brazilian politics is domi- country’s first female presi- nated by men. dent, Dilma Rousseff, in “I saved this on my cell- 2010. Since she took office patriotism into Soviet got three offers,’ says Ilya per,” he says with a grin. through stress. It’s impor- get most of our news from phone because when people on January 1 2011, the pres- Lifestyle youth, Mr Zolotoev and his Tsatska, a German-speaking Now working as a mar- tant to find the right role.” the internet, we can clearly say they don’t need to fight ident has appointed a large peers absorbed US films PhD student, who has spent keting manager, Ms Fedo- While western economies see we have the opportunity for empowerment of women number of women to senior Russia’s young have and soap operas and have the last 18 months working tova denies she is fickle and remain in the doldrums, to live different kinds of any more, I show them that positions in the government more choices but still adapted to Russia’s cut- for a market research com- says that hitherto she was Russia’s is still growing, lives”, says Mr Zolotoev. image. When I do, everyone and in state-owned compa- throat capitalism far better pany helping western firms looking for the right oppor- though at 1.6 per cent in the The gulf between Moscow understands,” she says. nies, such oil producer face deficiencies in than older compatriots. navigate the complexities of tunity where she could first quarter of this year, and Russia’s hinterland is Brazil with its relatively Petrobras. infrastructure, says They have travelled far doing business in Russian. learn new skills and not be the rate is at its slowest seen in internet penetra- young population seems a “People perhaps don’t more widely than previous Mr Tsatska says his will- called to work at 3am. She since 2009. Compared with tion, which is ubiquitous in natural breeding ground for understand how important Rachel Morarjee generations and are wired ingness to stay in a job far worked at the Austrian their counterparts in west- the capital and widespread politicians such as Ms it is for children to be into an online universe. outweighs that of his embassy, Siemens and a ern Europe though, Rus- in cities with more than a D’Ávila. Younger Brazilians raised in an environment “The early exposure to former classmate, Anastasia consultancy before settling. sia’s top graduates have a million inhabitants, but far have no hang-ups about with women occupying Born into a world in which American culture affected Fedotova, who is happy to “In Russia, many people wide range of opportunities. less in smaller towns. using technology, including positions of power,” she old certainties were crum- our generation,” Mr Zolo- move on after a few months think that work is part of “I have travelled and I For people without the for political ends. comments. bling and nothing, from the toev explains. “We expect if the position is not right your life, but I think that can see that we are much internet, who are often They are taking to smart- “It will value of the rouble to the our lives to be in our own for her and has worked at work is your life, so if you better off than people of our older, state-controlled tele- phones as fast as they can change a security of their parents’ hands. We don’t expect any- four different companies are happy at work you’ll be age in western Europe, vision shapes their world afford them, or the coun- g e n e r a - jobs remained certain, Rus- thing from the state – not a in the last two years. “Nat- happy. I hated my last job although I’m really just view. Russia’s youth are try’s creaking telecom net- tion.” sia’s twenty-somethings car, not a house, not a job. stya is a notorious job-hop- and lost a lot of weight talking about Moscow. wired into their smart- works will allow. know the future depends “We are young, aggres- Things in other parts of phones for everything from About 1.8m Brazilians very much on their efforts. sive and ambitious.” Russia are much more diffi- news to entertainment. per month have joined The old Soviet Union is Mr Zolotoev, who gradu- cult,” says Mr Zolotoev. “Really, I buy everything Facebook in recent the unimaginable past for ated two years ago from Ilya Yurovsky, an assist- except food and clothes years, with the number many and a hazy memory Russia’s prestigious Mos- ant to a managing partner online,” says Mr Tsatska. using the site now total- for the rest. These perspec- cow State University, feels Nicholas Davies, 23 at an international law While small luxuries are ling more than two- tives define their age group, it is easier for many west- Student official, UK firm, says travel sets them easily available, for many thirds of the country’s starkly differentiating them ern companies and private apart from other genera- young Russians, no matter 90m internet users. The from parents and older sib- firms to hire young gradu- tions. “My brothers are 10 how much they save, an aptitude of Brazilian lings. ates like himself, flexible years older than me and apartment of their own will youth, in particular, “Our generation is inter- and eager for experience. ‘While recession has had a they have never been be unaffordable even on a for the internet has esting. I was born in 1989 as The downside for compa- huge effect on the number abroad and never will. They good salary. Mortgage lend- attracted attention the Soviet Union was end- nies hiring Russia’s bright and range of jobs available say they don’t like flying,” ing is poorly developed and from Silicon Val- ing and we grew up in young things is that while to graduates, that is he says, adding that it is a interest rates very high. ley. Redpoint Ven- vibrant turbulent times,” this generation might not no reason to be matter of mindset, given “I don’t want to remain tures, previously says Timur Zolotoev, a jour- expect job security, loyalty pessimistic about the that even people on lower living with parents for ever, known as BV Capi- nalist and PhD student. does not feature highly in future. I will always strive incomes can afford package but I really can’t see how I tal, has received While his older brothers their résumés. Many job for my ideal future, and trips to Turkey and Egypt. will ever be able to afford a commitments of and sisters were forced to hop frequently. persistence will get me “We can travel and con- place of my own so that is a attend Boy Scout-like pio- “I quit my last job three there one day’ sume things that other gen- really big worry,” says Ms Political future: neer rallies that drummed weeks ago and I’ve already erations don’t and, since we Fedotova. Manuela D’Ávila Technology puts power in the hands of the many

Continued from Page 1 to change.” Millennials’ More than half the respond- choreograph what everyone them more tolerant of the US, one thing that’s differences in attitude belief in their ability to ents did not think govern- else does is failing and immigrants than their notable is their acceptance between the haves and donors to track small dona- effect change varies across ments reflected their beliefs instead you have fluid, open elders, with almost six-in-10 of diversity,” he says. have-nots are likely to tions and receive feedback the world. The Telefónica and values. Instead, they architecture with synapses saying that immigrants “There’s a lot of social increase, too. from recipients. Meanwhile, survey found Latin Ameri- put more faith in the wis- running in every direction,” strengthened the country. change that’s connected to However, given the mil- the sense of how millenni- cans had the strongest dom of the crowd, accessed says Mr Drayton. While religious extrem- this generation.” lennials’ desire to help als can contribute as sense that they could make via social media. Millenni- This means that, to sur- ism is on the rise among Of course, for the millions solve problems, they may individuals is increasing as a difference globally, at 62 als trust each other and vive and thrive, millennials young people in certain of young people without well play a prominent role traditional ways of working per cent, compared with 40 turn to their peers when believe they must rely less communities, many are jobs, any tolerance, open- in building a more stable are eroded and technology per cent of all respondents. they have questions to on institutions and more on more religiously tolerant ness and confidence in their economy and an equitable replaces not just manual This belief increases answer. “There’s a two-way themselves and their peers. than their elders, with 76 40% ability to effect change is society. labour but also intellectual when considering their own connection and anyone can One thing that may help per cent of those polled by tempered by the grim pros- Ms Case is optimistic. capital. environment, with 62 per talk to anyone in the millennials navigate this Telefónica saying they were Percentage who feel they pect of being unable to “These people will change “Artificial intelligence, cent of all surveyed saying world,” says Mr Taylor. new fluid, open environ- open to religions and beliefs could effect change globally make the transition from the world, and they have algorithms and the web they could make a differ- Yet the confidence and ment is that, as a 2010 Pew outside their own. school to the workplace or opportunities to do that,” mean that all the repetitive ence locally. connectivity that technol- Research Centre study Mr Taylor sees this par- to afford to buy a home or she says. “We have a seg- jobs are going away,” says What this highlights is a ogy has brought this gener- revealed, they are more ticularly at work among US 62% eventually retire. ment being left behind. But Bill Drayton, founder of shift in the way leadership ation can also be accompa- receptive to change than millennials, among whom Given the growing gaps I’m hoping that the genera- Ashoka, the social entrepre- is viewed. Millennials’ trust nied by stresses and doubts. older generations. attitudes to interracial mar- Percentage who feel they in employment prospects tion with the opportunities neurship organisation. “The in traditional institutions “The old model of organi- The study, which polled riage and sexual identity could effect change locally and wealth levels among will pay attention to their new value is in contributing and leaders is declining. sation, where a few people millennials in the US, found are changing rapidly. “In young people worldwide, peers without.” FINANCIAL TIMES THURSDAY JUNE 6 2013 ★ 3 The Millennial Generation Part Two

Start-up nation: Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal, the co-founders of Flipkart, the Indian ecommerce site Engineer’s skills Getty helped build online retailer from scratch

Technology James Crabtree talks to Binny Bansal, co-founder of the ecommerce site Flipkart, India’s answer to Amazon Contributors »

s one of India’s most promi- first used a computer before he had Shannon Bond nent dotcom entrepreneurs, one in his house, when his father US reporter it is perhaps not surprising bought a PC for their home in the James Crabtree that Binny Bansal recalls northern city of Chandigarh. An inter- Mumbai correspondent the moment he discovered est in software programming followed, Miles Johnson Ahis passion for technology. deepening a few years later when the Madrid correspondent “The first time I saw a computer I web first came to India. Feargus O’Sullivan was 11, in school back in 1994,” he “I was the first one in my town to Freelance journalist and writer says. “You could play some games or get the internet, and so there were a Katrina Manson do some basic programming. That was lot of friends who came over,” he East Africa correspondent when I got to experience it first hand says. “Computers were what I became Sarah Murray and I think it was love at first sight.” passionate about.” FT contributor Today, Mr Bansal is known as one Then, as now, only a select few in Joe Leahy of the co-founders of Flipkart.com, an India were able to have access to com- the first being a background in retailers were just really, really bad Brazil bureau chief ecommerce venture dubbed the “Ama- puters, although these days most do engineering. Mr Bansal’s early inter- online,” he says. “We could see they Rachel Morarjee zon of India”. It is a label he happily own basic mobile phones. An esti- est in computing helped him win a just didn’t get it.” Freelance journalist based in Moscow accepts for a business that sells every- mated 150m are online, less than 10 place at the Indian Institute of Tech- For all that, building an online Heba Saleh thing from books and electronics to per cent of the 1.2bn population. nology (IITD) in New Delhi, perhaps retailer presented formidable Cairo correspondent toys and watches, and makes more Even so, this makes India the his country’s most celebrated univer- challenges. “There were a lot of these than 2m shipments per month world’s third most engaged nation sity. It is certainly known for the problems at the start, but thankfully Hugo Greenhalgh To some extent, the company could online, after China and the US and extraordinarily slim odds faced by we were quite ignorant of them before Commissioning editor be seen as derivative of Amazon’s creates a sizeable group of young peo- applicants for admission. “I was we began,” Mr Bansal recalls. “We Steven Bird pioneering model. Its achievements ple comfortable with developing tech- lucky,” Mr Bansal says. didn’t really have a clue and if we had Design are just as impressive, however, not nologies. The second shared characteristic is known how difficult it would be, to be Michael Crabtree least given the unusual barriers such Of his initial experiments with more obvious: his youth. He set up honest, we probably wouldn’t have Picture editor a business faces in India. games and chat rooms, Mr Bansal the company with co-founder Sachin done it.” The company now has reve- Sam Judah, Natalia Drozdiak, From the outset, Mr Bansal and his recalls: “In those early days, it was Bansal (a friend from IITD but not a nues of Rs5bn ($90m), servicing 6.5m Aisha Gani team had to cope with a chaotic, slow [using] a modem on a phone line, relation) in 2007, when he was just 24. registered customers. Research fragmented retail system, while also but the information was quite power- Today, Binny Bansal is still only 30, As to the future, Mr Bansal says he figuring out how to do seemingly ful. But from that time on, I became while his group’s 6,000 staff have a and Flipkart are preparing for what For advertising details, contact: basic things, such as building a relia- very, very interested in how these decidedly youthful feel, too. “Almost they believe will be the next big stage Robert Grange +44 (0) 20 7873 4418, ble nationwide delivery system in a things work and what they can do.” all of the company, including the lead- in India’s internet journey – the email: [email protected], or your country with a limited postal service In person, Mr Bansal is quiet and ership, is our age or younger, defi- moment when the first generation in usual FT representative. and developing systems – for example, reflective, almost shy. When I met nitely,” he says. In its early days, he the country to grow up digitally sud- payment on delivery – to suit custom- him for the first time last year – at a says the idea for the business was denly junks their old-fashioned mobile All FT Reports are available on FT.com ers who mostly do not own credit coffee shop close to Flipkart’s high- mostly based on intuition, if one devices in favour of internet-enabled at ft.com/reports cards. tech offices in the southern Indian IT inspired by a period during which Mr smartphones. Many of these problems were solved hub of Bangalore – he came across as ‘If we had known how Bansal worked as an engineer in “That is where the growth is going Follow us on Twitter at by the application of technology, Mr quite unlike a pushy California-style Amazon’s Indian operation. to come from, and it will happen in twitter.com/ftreports. Bansal says. He adds that this is an dotcom whizkid. difficult it would be, “Our hunch was that online travel the next couple of years for sure,” he approach that he shares with many of For all that, he does share at least we probably wouldn’t companies were growing in India very says. He imagines his client base All editorial content in this supplement is his generation, who become familiar two traits with many of the other quickly and so people were buying potentially doubling, “or going up produced by the FT. Our advertisers with technology at a young age. In his young global entrepreneurs who have have done it’ tickets on the web, but at the same even more than that . . . It will have a have no influence over or prior sight of case it took four more years after he built leading technology companies, time the current crop of Indian massive, massive impact.” the articles or online material. Military offers Record unemployment for security of sorts young destroys aspirations in hard times the sidelines for the start of as an incentive for employ- Spain their working lives, more ers to take greater chances and more young Spaniards On FT.com on recruiting young work- the millennial generation. Financial crisis hurt are choosing to move » ers, without the fear of later Armed services The economic factors that abroad. being forced to pay high helped push Mr Duncan a generation, writes Cristina Arias, a 27-year- compensation if they are Shannon Bond finds into the armed forces are Miles Johnson old from Galicia in the made redundant. recruiters adapting familiar to recruiters. northwest, is typical of The government has “Historically, there’s been many highly educated adopted increasingly unor- to a new generation a fairly strong inverse rela- Spaniards born in the 1980s young Spaniards. She faces thodox policies to underline tionship in the economy Be all that you can be: the US army offers an alternative for were until recently thought the choice of staying in the its commitment to fighting and our level of difficulty in young people affected by the weak jobs market Getty to be the luckiest genera- country in the hope of find- youth unemployment. In 2004, Aaron Duncan was recruiting,” says James tion in their country’s his- ing often poorly paid work, Styling the Fátima Báñez, Spain’s working in minimum-wage Ortiz, marketing director at tory. Coming into the world or searching for opportuni- employment minister, in odd jobs, had a high school the army’s recently created But channelling their that unlike other industries, as Spain emerged from the ties abroad. future May struck an agreement equivalency diploma and marketing and research “spirit of volunteerism” a lot of which are doing isolation of the Franco After graduating in Katie Eary, UK with her German counter- was falling behind on his group. “When the economy into military service is not new product development, dictatorship into the wider Madrid, she worked in a part, whereby Germany will rent. While the financial is strong, recruiting is diffi- a simple task. The shift to we are who we are. We community of the European series of jobs before taking fashion designer, offer 5,000 apprenticeships a crisis was still years away, cult and vice versa.” an all-volunteer force in can’t change the army,” Mr Union, it was taken for up a position in the commu- on menswear and year to young unemployed the economic picture was That trend has started to 1973, coupled with the Ortiz says. “But we can granted that the country’s nications department of a Spaniards. already bleak for the 18- change. “In the last two deaths of many veterans of change how we position confident, educated young music festival. Last year rapper Kanye West Economists and labour year-old in Louisiana. years, we’ve seen an the second world war, and communicate.” would enjoy opportunities the festival lost money and market experts argue that Mr Duncan did what unprecedented paradigm,” Korea and Vietnam, means With smartphones in never offered to their par- she found herself without a more must be done to com- countless young Americans Mr Ortiz says. “The econ- there are fewer immediate every pocket, millennials ents. job in a market where the people in Spain want to do bat Spain’s so-called dual in similar situations have omy is weak and recruiting family members to influ- can quickly access informa- Yet, for a generation that chance of finding perma- things, they are motivated labour market, where short- done: he walked into the is significantly challenged, ence prospective soldiers, tion and learn what their has lived through an almost nent and reasonably paid and have ideas, but with term and poorly paid con- local army recruiter’s office. which we haven’t seen sailors and airmen. peers are watching, reading, uninterrupted surge in work was fast disappearing. the situation we have peo- tracts are the norm for “I said, ‘I need to join before... economics and Matthew Mueller belongs eating and playing. That wealth and living stand- Having taken a holiday to ple who find themselves in those young people lucky now,’” he recalls. unemployment aren’t as to that shrinking group. A expectation of transparency ards, history has taken a visit friends in Germany, a vicious circle,” she says. enough to find work. Nine years later, military strong an influence on this 29-year-old captain in the has “forced us to open up cruel turn. she then came to a decision “When you are without a “There is no long-term service has evolved for him cohort.” US air force, he grew up the army and allow soldiers Where once the Spanish about what to do next: job, it is easy to become commitment to employees from a way out of a difficult New recruits in 2013 are with both parents in the to engage with prospects in government openly boasted “When I was staying in Ber- completely unmotivated, from their employers, and situation into a career. He telling the army that their army and several other rel- a way they haven’t done about the possibility of the lin on holiday, I suddenly and just sit on your par- that is an extremely unfair has served in Iraq and top reason for joining is atives in the services. before”, Mr Ortiz says. economy overtaking that of thought to myself that ents’ sofa all day. But you proposition for young peo- Afghanistan, taken college- service to their country, “I come from a strong line On the army’s website, Italy, the bursting of there was nothing in Spain have to keep doing things, ple,” says Mr Díaz-Giménez. level classes and is a staff edging out factors such as of military,” he says. At 18, candidates can pose ques- Spain’s decade-long prop- to go back to, no opportuni- you have to keep yourself For Ms Arias, the diffi- sergeant based in South money for college, financial he enrolled at Penn State tions about military life – erty bubble has caused ties, so I decided to stay,” motivated”. culty of finding a long-term Korea. stability and skills training with an officer training from what basic training is youth unemployment to she says. The Spanish government, contract, or the insistence “I definitely did not see that have dominated in corps scholarship, followed like to how the food tastes – surge to the highest level in Yet not being able to stung by the effect on the of many employers on offer- myself doing this for the recent years, according to by a four-year commitment and real soldiers post the EU. speak German meant she country’s image caused by ing only unpaid intern- long term,” he says. At one Kathleen Welker at the that he has extended. answers. “That is a signifi- With about 1.8m Span- could not find work and so, the high level of jobless- ships, is a further incentive point he considered leaving army’s recruiting command To reach young people cant change for the army, iards under the age of 30 after two months, she ness, hopes that a reform to to emigrate. “When you and trying his luck in the in Fort Knox, Kentucky. who do not have such for a very conservative out of work, and an unem- returned home to her par- the labour laws will have a short-term contract civilian world. But that was “We are happy beneficiar- strong family traditions, institution for a variety of ployment rate of 57 per cent ents in Galicia. She is now improve the situation. The you are less motivated,” she 2011, and he worried about ies of the millennial genera- recruiters, like companies, reasons, not the least of for those aged under 25, the taking German classes and reform aims to increase the says. “In the past in Spain, his job prospects. tion’s wanting to be part of are turning to social media. which is security,” Mr Ortiz life chances for a genera- hopes to return to Germany ability of companies to hire companies knew that their “You can’t beat the pre- something,” she says. “One of our challenges is says. “The kids were going tion that had symbolised a later this year. “Young and fire employees and act workers were the soul of dictability of the military. I to get information whether new, modern and interna- the company and that when know on the 15th and the we wanted to play or not. tionally relevant Spain now they were treated well they 1st, I’m going to get a We were better off engaging appear, for the first time worked hard.” cheque,” he says. “Even if them.” since the transition, to be Many of her friends are the military downsizes, Pablo Rodríguez For those who have cho- worse than for those born a Oghenefego now trying to set up their they do it in a competitive Sánchez, 27 sen a soldier’s life, even in decade before. Isikwenu, 29 own businesses, although fashion. They’re not just an era of government “It is much worse to be a they are struggling to find going to get rid of me Communications budget cuts, military serv- young person coming out of Consultant, Kenya the level of start-up capital because I’m the new guy.” co-ordinator, Mexico ice offers a stability that is college today in Spain than they need. The US armed forces are increasingly rare for young 10 years ago,” says Javier ‘My future will be much “Sometimes people think shrinking as a share of the ‘Our generation today Americans. Díaz-Giménez, an economist better than that of my that young people here are population – about 1.4m out faces a void: our In 2010, a newly married at Iese Business School in parents’ generation thanks to unmotivated, or enjoy of 315m Americans are on governments have failed Mr Mueller considered seek- Madrid. better education. An living at home with their active duty, the smallest us; companies have failed us ing out a job in financial “For graduates, it is very innovative group of young parents, but this is not proportion in uniform since too. We have a crisis of services – the field he plans difficult but a sizeable Africans are actively involved in true,” says Ms Arias. before the second world war credibility towards institutions. to enter when he eventually number of young Spaniards making a positive impact in “People are more moti- – but the military’s slimmed We have come to realise we are leaves the air force. But, he became high school drop- their fields. But security is vated to do new things than ranks are dominated by the protagonists of the 21st says, “at that time the glo- outs to work in the con- a big concern. With ever before, but many see young recruits. More than century. Our generation is bal economy was so uncer- struction sector when it unemployment how things are and think it two-thirds of enlisted mem- starting to wake up and tain, hiring prospects were was booming, and now they increasing more young is impossible. I love Spain, bers are under 30, and the create the solutions of so depressed...[that] the find themselves out of work people have no option but we cannot be expected target age for recruits is 18- our own problems’ thing we wanted most was and without training.” but to go into crime’ to stay here and wait for- 24-year-olds, the tail-end of certainty in life”. Faced with remaining on ever just to get a job.” 4 ★ FINANCIAL TIMES THURSDAY JUNE 6 2013 The Millennial Generation Part Two Activists fight on to taste fruits of their revolution

Egypt Two years after the downfall of Hosni Mubarak, courageous men and women are challenging widespread repression, writes Heba Saleh

here was a time, Nazli Hus- senior military officers and now by an sein recalls, when she was elected Islamist president. the kind of girl who would He acknowledges certain aspects get her nails painted while have improved after the revolution – her friends went to demon- the press is freer and human rights strationsT on the streets of Cairo. activists face fewer restrictions in This now feels like the distant past, moving around the country – but says the 30-year-old activist who has there are still many battles ahead. put her career as a special needs “After the revolution, I expected our teacher on hold to immerse herself priorities as a human rights move- fully in supporting the families of ment would be dismantling the appa- detainees and producing videos docu- ratus of abuse built under Mubarak menting abuses by the Egyptian secu- and dealing with the legacy of the rity services. past while rebuilding democratic ‘The first person I saw get killed on institutions,” he says. “Instead, we Kasr El Nil bridge in the revolution are dealing with a daily wave of new [in 2011] changed my life forever,” she abuses and the same structures per- says. “He fell; we looked and just sist. marched on. He and I were on that “Instead of the security laws used bridge because we had the same for repression under Mubarak, we are dream. He died for that dream but campaigning against new repressive there is no logical reason the bullet laws to govern civil society and the hit him and not me or one of my right to demonstrate.” brothers. From that moment I decided Mr Bahgat was 23 and a journalist I should either die like him or achieve that dream.” Ms Hussein is a member of a gener- ation of Egyptian activists determined ‘Almost every human to keep alive the spirit of the 2011 rights problem under revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, ending his 30 years of Mubarak persists today stultifying rule. Convinced that the repressive state and many are more acute’ that Egyptians rose up against did not fall with Mr Mubarak, they remain a when he founded EIPR, now one of thorn in the side of authority, agitat- Egypt’s most authoritative human ing for the rights and freedoms that rights groups, in 2002. A grant from the revolution was supposed to have CIDA, the Canadian development restored to Egyptians after decades of agency, helped him set up the organi- authoritarian rule. sation. Many of them argue that Mohamed He wanted to build a young organi- Morsi, the elected Islamist president, sation staffed by young people, and to has been seeking to inherit and focus on “neglected issues” such as exploit his predecessor’s tools of reproductive rights, health discrimi- repression rather than implement a nation, and the freedom to choose and programme of reform. change religion. “Every time there is a fight between Since the revolution, he says, EIPR the people and the police [on the has opened a handful of offices across street] I will be there,” says Ms Hus- Egypt and has more than doubled its sein. “The people have not yet staff, which stands at 60. achieved their rights in the wider Despite the fall of Mr Mubarak, fight with the security services. provide help to detainees and lobby the violations were terrifying,” she should an 11-year-old child be tor- The voice of their generation: many of the same issues remain “There is still a vendetta against on their behalf. Her role is to liaise says. “Hundreds were arrested and tured?” protesters in Tahrir Square, equally pressing today, Mr Baghat the police. There has been no with the families of the sometimes sent to six prosecution offices around For Hossam Bahgat, the 34-year-old Cairo, in November, 2012 Reuters insists. “Almost every human rights acknowledgment of their mistakes, no hundreds of protesters arrested in Cairo. We had to trace them for their founder of the Egyptian Initiative for problem under Mubarak persists one has been held to account and demonstrations and to ensure that the families, and we had to deal with Personal Rights (EIPR), the day Mr today and many are actually more there has been no reform.” detainees receive meals, medication, cases of missing people. Two of them Mubarak fell remains the “happiest” acute: from violence against women When she is not on the front lines blankets and legal aid. turned up dead. of his life. He too complains that disil- to unlawful and lethal police shoot- during confrontations between pro- “We are a small group and in the “Abductions by the state have lusionment has set in after two years ings, [and] from sectarian violence to testers and the police, Ms Hussein vol- demos after January 25 this year [the returned. There were many minors of a tortuous transition in which the lack of access to basic services unteers with two activist groups that second anniversary of the revolution] and there was a lot of torture. Why the country was ruled by a council of and decent work.” Her feet planted in Somali sand, an English school in her head

mixing invention with Africa’s J.M. Coetzee and top of each other. Somali is Exile retold family anecdote, piec- Ivorian novelist Ahmadou very poetic, in a way that ing together a narrative Kourouma as influences, I’m only discovering right The writer Nadifa that connects fragments of her greatest enthusiasm now in my own voice. Peo- Mohamed tells the past with her imagina- seems to be for less obvi- ple talk in a really very lit- tion. Black Mamba Boy ously literary inspirations. erary way there, much Feargus O’Sullivan reimagined her father’s real “Music is a huge influ- more than in the UK. Just of life in two worlds life journey across Africa ence on me. When I was listening in to a normal and the Middle East, writing Black Mamba Boy,I conversation between old searching for his own lost listened to a lot of Louis women, they’re often mas- When writer Nadifa father. Her second novel, Armstrong, partly because ters language-wise. The Mohamed returned to her Orchard of Lost Souls, due his deep, gravelly voice depth of language is incred- Somali home town of out this August, follows reminds me so much of my ible – and this is often from Hargeisa in 2010 after 22 three Hargeisa women as dad’s. The Nubian Egyptian people who can’t read.” years’ absence, it was not Somalia descends into civil singer Ali Hassan Kuban Despite the vividness of her eyes that helped her war. It is a compelling snap- also blew me away – his these voices in Ms locate her childhood home, shot of a city whose normal music is like what I want to Mohamed’s writing, her but her feet. life is unravelling into vio- achieve with writing: it’s work thrives on distance “I was walking around lence and an elegy to the jagged, mad and fast and and recollection. Agreeing the neighbourhood I was childhood friends and rela- that it might have been her staying in and at one point tives Ms Mohamed left family’s flight from war- I felt my legs sinking into behind. torn Somalia that moti- the sand in the street. I It is no coincidence that ‘From a temporary vated her to become a remembered it straight the imagery in these books move . . . it’s taken writer, Ms Mohamed says away from when I was a sometimes has the dreamy her former homeland is a child – that area is embed- vividness of brown-edged me a long time to place she chooses to return ded in me, and everything old photos – it is faded to imaginatively rather fell into place.” images like these that set accept that I won’t than physically. This anecdote of return her creative process into go back to Somalia’ “It’s taken me a long time and deep memory reveals a motion. to accept that I won’t go process that is at the heart “Normally my writing back to Somalia. When we of Ms Mohamed’s fiction. starts with an image or two first left, the move was Now 31, she was prised that I can’t get out of my also sounds somehow always meant to be tempo- away from Somalia at the head,” she says. “With ancient. In a way, it’s my rary and even recently I age of six, when her family Black Mamba Boy, I was soul music.” thought I’d go. But now I’ve fled the country and moved haunted by this mental pic- Understandably for some- come to realise that London to the UK to escape the ture of a man on a ship, a one whose writing has fam- is my home.” escalating civil war. sepia-toned image of a black ily storytelling so close to This gradual realisation is Her path to British liter- guy staring out to sea. its centre (though she perhaps typical of her gen- ary success was fairly Another one was on three insists that her work is not eration of British Somalis, smooth: school in suburban little boys in loincloths directly biographical) Ms many of whom left their London and graduation splashing around in the Mohamed cites the birth country during the from St Hilda’s College water, probably in Aden.” cadences of Somali speech civil war to escape anarchy Oxford were followed by a The process of determin- as key in shaping her style. that they assumed would be shortlisting for the Guard- ing the identity of the peo- She feels that a certain shortlived. ian First Book Award and ple in these images and writerliness is a typical But joining contemporar- an Orange Prize long-listing where they fit within the trait of everyday Somali ies such as journalist Rageh for her first novel, Black narrative is one that talk. Omaar and athlete Mo Mamba Boy. involves as much talking “When I read other Soma- Farah, who have made Now Ms Mohamed has and listening as reading lis, the way of phrasing is highly visible contributions been endorsed by that most and writing. very long sentences run- to British culture, it seems respected of literary com- While she cites South ning on, images that pile on that Ms Mohamed’s future mendations, publisher work may move on from Granta’s decennial list of Somalia-based subjects to the best young British writ- explore her inevitably com- ers. She joins a group that plex relationship with her has included Ian McEwan, adoptive country. Salman Rushdie, Jeanette Dana Sobh, 19 The obsessive images Winterson and Kazuo Ishig- Student, Lebanon shaping the contours of her uro. third book – still very much Despite an adulthood and at the planning stage – promising career firmly ‘The future seems a little explore the writer’s early based in Britain, it is to her intimidating. You can’t tell years in Britain. “I have in family’s Somali past that whether the actions of today my head a big, grey Victo- Ms Mohamed’s work con- are leading to success or rian school, like a camp or sistently returns. She seeks destruction. I’m constantly an institution, somewhere to rediscover roots and haunted by thoughts such in London. She went to one memories made distant by as “Did I choose the right such school here herself, migration, to sink her feet career path?” However, the she says, and it left an back into the sand of her economic climate might get “indelible memory” for her: past. better by the time I “that shock to my system of Lean and poetic, her writ- graduate’ leaving my mother for the ing attempts this feat by first time”.