Next Generation Myanmar > 3 In our Next Generation Myanmar research, young people across Myanmar expressed their hopes and aspirations for the future. As a member of the youth-led task force that shaped the design and delivery of the study, I feel proud to have helped our generation talk about such a pivotal stage of life; one that we must navigate successfully to unleash our extraordinary potential. In this study we explored youth voices around six key topics – expectations about life opportunities; values and identity; social engagement; attitudes towards institutions; Myanmar in transition; and Myanmar’s place in the world. The research tells us that we have the chance to deliver the ‘demographic dividend’ – by this we mean the positive benefits of youth engagement in society and in economic and political development. We can be the drivers of future growth. Our study helps us understand youth views on how we can support this positive progress and avoid issues that young people face around the world when they do not successfully make this transition, for example youth unemployment. We want to support positive progress and build a successful future for our country. We don’t want to lose ground. We give our ideas for policies and programmes that help address the opportunities and challenges we face. With limited resources, how can we best make sure we are investing in the most effective programmes? How can we make sure these programmes are rigorously evaluated and tested by young people on behalf of young people? How do we assess what we know, and what we still need to know, to scale up workable solutions for Myanmar’s youth? Our research highlights the positive role young people can play in the public sphere when we actively participate socially, culturally and politically. We feel proud of our research and are pleased to present its publication. Next Generation Myanmar offers a comprehensive and accessible analysis of the important topic of youth development. We feel our research presents a valuable contribution to the evidence base for policy and programme development. This research has given young people in Myanmar a chance to have a stronger voice and advocate for successful programmes for youth. Young people in Myanmar have enormous potential to contribute to the successful future of our country. We look forward to continuing our work together, providing young people with the skills and opportunities they need to be successful workers, entrepreneurs, parents, citizens and, indeed, leaders. This publication is one key effort in that regard. Phyoe Phyoe Aung National Student Union/ The Wings Institute