Hope for Life on Our Planet: Inspiration for Seven Generations is both a book and a growing initiative bringing together visionary minds from across the world to reimagine systems, explore new paths forward, and act together with future generations in mind. Edited by Osvald Bjelland and designed by Snøhetta, the book gathers reflections from over 60 contributors—Nobel Peace Prize laureates, youth leaders, CEOs, scientists, artists, and activists including Jane Goodall, Pope Francis, Rebecca Solnit, Bayo Akomolafe, Maria Popova, and Nick Cave. Born from an urgent question—what would it look like if we made decisions today with the next seven generations in mind?—the Hope Initiative is building a global network of originators who aren’t just talking about progress but investing in it, mobilizing patient capital to shape cross-sector partnerships in service of humanity and the planet.
Why it matters: Hope is not wishful thinking but the first step in transformation—and what’s missing is an avalanche of places and communities where people come together to shape new ways. The world doesn’t lack ideas, capital, or intelligence, but we need shared spaces for long-term thinking, collective imagination, and investments. By gathering voices who speak not out of optimism but out of responsibility, the initiative treats hope as a serious, strategic force in shaping the future. It’s not a manifesto but an invitation—to slow down, reflect, and engage with the belief that the future is still open.
