Wired for Innovation:Tapping the Full Potential of Millennials and Gen Z

June 22nd 2016

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Youth voter turnout has gone up 46.8% in Canada in the last 16 years.

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Start viewing young people as a solution to social and economic challenges.

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"The purposeful and organized search for changes”

Peter Drucker, 1985

Definition of Innovation

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Young People: 15 – 25 years old

Millennials Born early 1980s to mid 1990s 20-35 years old

Gen Z Born mid 1990s to present day 0-19 years old

Definition of Young People

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Creativity Curiosity Challenging the status quo Collaboration Observation Vision

What makes an innovator?

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Creativity: Instinctively experimenters Curiosity: Molded by experience Challenging the status quo: Risk takers Collaboration: Attentive to social stimuli Observation: Height of brain power Vision: Everything is possible

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Why young people are wired for innovation

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Looking for deep meaning More collaborative Heightened brain power

The Bonus: Millennials & Gen Z Traits

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Foster intergenerational partnerships between young innovators & decision-makers.

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Focus on the impact a young person has, not just what they are being taught.

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Rethink what ‘experience’ means in the innovation economy.

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“Young people’s selfless drive and enthusiasm earned them the respect and admiration of a country.”

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Ilona DoughertyManaging DirectorThe Youth & Innovation Research ProjectUniversity of Waterloo

ilona.dougherty@uwaterloo.ca@ilonadougherty