Geoffrey Mboya, 24, a Social Work and Community Development student at Mount Kenya University, prominent activist, community organiser and climate advocate, discusses issues about the community on a map with a colleague from the Mukuru Community Justice Centre of the Mukuru informal settlement of Nairobi, where he was born and raised, on 21st October 2024. AFP met six African students from Generation Z who, from Dakar to Nairobi, and Johannesburg to Abidjan, displayed a realistic optimism and a strong desire to transform their countries. Born just before or after 2000, these students in urban planning, environment, medicine or biology combine their studies with a strong political commitment, far from the stereotypes of a self-centered generation cut off from reality. For 24 hours, they allowed an AFP team to share their daily lives. 
Photo credit: Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images 

How to make people care using the power of cooperation

Humans beings are wired for cooperation. Cooperation is an innate and fundamental part of us, shaped by biological evolution and social development. We are naturally inclined to work together, form social bonds, and engage in collective problem-solving because doing so has historically increased survival and success. Moreover, cooperation is deeply tied to our sense of identity and belonging as social beings. People naturally form groups, families, communities, and organisations because working together brings emotional and practical benefits.

In modern society, cooperation is essential for economies, governments, and organisations to function effectively. Businesses, institutions, and political systems are built on the ability of people to work together toward common goals.

From an evolutionary standpoint, cooperation has been key to human survival. Early humans who worked together in hunting, gathering, and protection had higher chances of survival. Over time, natural selection favoured those who exhibited prosocial behaviours, such as empathy, reciprocity, and trust, strengthening the inclination to cooperate. Our brains are wired to seek social bonds and chemicals like oxytocin reinforce feelings of trust and connection, further solidifying cooperation as a fundamental aspect of human nature.

On a social level, cooperation is deeply tied to our sense of identity and belonging. People form groups based on shared interests, values, and needs. Whether in families, communities, or organisations, working together fosters emotional and practical benefits. Cooperation provides a sense of purpose, reinforces social bonds, and creates a foundation for collective problem-solving.

When channelled effectively, cooperation has the power to drive significant positive change. Social movements, humanitarian efforts, and global initiatives thrive on the ability of individuals to work together toward a common goal. Examples such as human rights activism, disaster relief, and public health campaigns demonstrate the strength of collective action in addressing global challenges.

Businesses and governments also depend on cooperative structures. Companies rely on teamwork, shared innovation, and mutual support to grow, while governments function best when leaders and citizens work together toward the common good. Policies that promote inclusivity, equity, and sustainability are successful when societies embrace cooperation rather than division. While cooperation can lead to positive change, it also carries ethical complexities. Group identity can be manipulated, sometimes leading to exclusion, discrimination, or harm. History is filled with examples of cooperation used for destructive purposes. Authoritarian regimes, extremist ideologies, and corporate monopolies have leveraged collective identity to consolidate power at the expense of others.

The ethical challenge is ensuring that cooperation remains inclusive and does not marginalise or harm others. True collective good should be measured not just by the success of one group but by how it benefits the wider society. Ethical cooperation requires critical reflection on who is included, who is excluded, and whether the actions taken align with principles of justice, fairness, and sustainability.

What defines the collective good? The answer is subjective and shaped by cultural, political, and ideological perspectives. Some describe it in economic terms, emphasising growth and prosperity. Others focus on human rights, social equity, or environmental sustainability. In reality, the most meaningful forms of cooperation balance different economic, social, and ethical aspects, ensuring that progress benefits the many, not just the few.