In this paper, the future position of Geotechnical Engineering (GE) is discussed through considering the relevance for the GE profession of four significant societal challenges the world is facing: demographic ageing, urbanization, natural hazards and resource efficiency. It is demonstrated that GE can have significant contributions to these challenges. However, the future position of GE in Europe depends to a significant extent on how the profession deals with the consequences of demographic ageing. Therefore, the GE profession (and the ISSMGE) should have a proper focus on inspiring students, by explaining the added value of GE in these global challenges. Inspiration of young people will require honest communication with regard to the uncertainties in the properties of our profession's building material: soil. Moreover, the significance of the field of GE shall increase if interfaces with relevant scientific disciplines are further strengthened, and disciplines like ICT and social sciences are further explored. This highlights the importance of involving young geotechnicians. Recent and future generations have an inherent affinity with modern technologies and have already been trained to work on a multi-disciplinary level. Therefore, young professionals should have a prominent role in ISSMGE activities. Subsequently, the involvement of young people may lead to vivid commitment, which secures a bright future for GE.