Abstract
The way we conceptualize time affects how we view intergenerational justice. We examine different conceptualizations of time across youth-led social movements in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Between 2018 and 2021, we spent time with six groups tackling a spectrum of intersecting causes—Indigenous rights, climate justice, feminist and queer rights, and social and economic justice. We attended campaign events and meetings and interviewed ninety participants about what inspired and sustained their engagement. Each group was invited to construct what we called a ‘living manifesto’ of their vision. In this chapter we focus on two manifestos, identifying how different conceptualizations of time shaped how intergenerational responsibility was imagined. The aim of our chapter is twofold. First, to encourage researchers working with youth-led social movements to be aware of diverse conceptualizations of time and intergenerational responsibility. Second, to provide a provocation for social movements predominantly composed of young people to expand their time and generational horizons when they reflect on their responsibilities and who they work alongside to achieve justice. We conclude with suggestions of what this might look like in practice.