Between the Pressure to Perform and the Search for Meaning

Achieving success, finding one’s own path, making a difference in society, and not losing sight of the big picture: Young people today face a wide range of expectations and seemingly endless possibilities. At the same time, there’s a growing sense of having to constantly “perform.” But where does this pressure come from, and what does “success” actually mean anymore?

In this panel discussion, we’ll talk about how young people navigate the tension between the pressure to succeed, self-actualization, societal expectations, and the desire for a meaningful life. We’ll explore what provides direction in a world where clear paths are lacking, how social engagement can remain possible in everyday life amid work and other obligations, and what it takes to create space for meaning and self-determination alongside simply “functioning.”

This discussion brings together diverse perspectives. The focus is on the real-life experiences, realities, and aspirations of young people, and on the question of what a good life can look like today.