Actuality¹⁶⁰

While the major powers clash in displays of force, another, often more decisive dynamic is at play behind the scenes: that of the medium powers, which understand that in an unstable world, alliances are their real leverage.

Canada is one of those countries. And we, as young professionals, are surprisingly part of this same mindset. Individually, our influence may seem limited, but collectively, we become a credible force.

In Davos, Prime Minister Mark Carney reiterated that the future of countries like ours depends on active cooperation, rooted in an order based on common rules. Influence no longer depends on size, but on the quality of relationships and the consistency of the values that underpin them. This vision may seem specific to geopolitics, but it resonates directly in our professional circles.

In fact, at the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Montreal, I meet talented individuals every day who are convinced that they must wait until they are “more established” to have an impact. However, like medium-sized powers, our real strength emerges when we unite our voices around shared ambitions. Our individual trajectories take on their full meaning when they are part of a collective movement that assumes its role in public discourse.

Standing firm does not mean raising your voice, but rather taking a consistent stance, resisting polarization, and avoiding the reflex to look out for yourself.

Prime Minister Carney reminded us that lasting influence depends less on brute force than on the ability to inspire others and build consensus around powerful ideas. This logic applies equally to business, public relations, politics, and innovation. Our credibility rests on our ability to bring people together, circulate ideas, and build bridges.

Moreover, choosing cooperation is not idealistic: it is a strategic and sustainable advantage. For Canada, it means remaining relevant in a fragmented system. For an organization like the JCCM, it means creating meaningful partnerships, promoting intergenerational dialogue, and offering the next generation opportunities to exert influence, without waiting for them to have the “years of experience” or “title” that they are sometimes criticized for not having.

For every young professional, getting involved, joining forces, and speaking up within their community means exercising their power of influence and propelling their career forward.

The challenges of our time are considerable, but they should not intimidate us. We have the collective capacity to shape a world in our image. The question is therefore no longer whether middle powers have a role to play: they are already playing it. The real question is whether we, too, are willing to embrace this role with ambition and consistency.

We have the values, the talent, and the networks. It is time to fully embrace our power to act and show that our generation is not content to merely observe change: we shape it.