New research by Christian Aid has revealed 39 per cent of young people, aged 18-34, have felt more aware of being part of a global community since the coronavirus pandemic began. This compares with just 21% of people aged over 55.
Meanwhile, 39 per cent of young people also felt an increased sense of community spirit in their local neighbourhood, a figure which jumps to 49 per cent of people aged 55 and over and 53 per cent for those over 65.
The survey, carried about by Savanta ComRes, launches Christian Aid's autumn appeal and seeks to encourage people to connect locally and globally.
Christian Aid's head of community fundraising and public engagement, Chine McDonald said: "Covid-19 may have forced us to physically separate, but connection and community have been huge themes this year.
"It's exciting to see a significant number of young people indicating that they feel more part of our global community.
"It's because our supporters feel connection with those trapped in poverty that they act to bring about change. Neighbours here in the UK are transforming people's lives when they come together, online or otherwise, and through our partner organisations our supporters reach out to their global neighbours too.
"We have been bowled over by people's understanding that Covid-19 is also devastating lives in parts of the world much less resilient than ours.
Although we are still dealing with the virus here, people can see how awful the impact of this disease is on people without safety nets and without access to good healthcare."
Christian Aid's appeal highlights the charity's work in countries like Nicaragua where communities have joined forces to overcome the crises of poverty and injustice.
The charity's urging people to help them call for the cancellation of debt repayments for low-income countries during the coronavirus pandemic so they can better address this crisis; and to pray for our global neighbours facing crisis in all its various forms.
Churches across England and Ireland have been supporting the appeal by holding a Global Neighbours Service.
