Representatives of Pakistan, Honduras, the Philippines, Georgia (formerly of the USSR), South Africa and Jamaica outlined their developments of youth employment networks in their respective countries. Venesha Phillips, 28, of Jamaica, spoke passionately about her country’s YES network and the strides it has made in improving employment prospects for youth. “We were bordering on social helplessness of our young people,” she said. “I think the country networks are coming at a critical time. I’m really scared of what’s happening in Jamaica with HIV, so that is our main plan of action. HIV/AIDS is huge in Jamaica and it’s troubling.”
Philippino delegate Catherine Kamping shared details of her country network’s focus on forestry, eco-waste, eco-tourism and renewable energy. She related the success story of the Philippines’ caravan of training, which delivers skills and knowledge to youth throughout the country. The Philippines has a population of 80 million, of which half are youth. The majority of youth (70 percent) are unemployed and most of those are young women. Conference organizers are developing informational booklets so other countries may develop their own YES country networks.
Later conference sessions included speakers from UNESCO, the World Economic Forum and the UN Population Fund, who outlined their priorities in the battle against youth unemployment. “Labour market information (LMI) is a major issue,” said Professor Niall O’Higgins of the University of Selerno and formerly with the International Labour Organization. “There is too little and inadequate LMI. Better links need to be made between schools and the labour market, and young people need to be involved in policy-making.”
Hafsat Abiola, a young human rights activist from Nigeria who lost both her parents in the country’s struggle for democracy, explained how young Nigerians have abandoned hope in their country’s future. “I had difficulty organizing young people—most of the people I talked to wanted me to help them get visas to Europe and the United States. In Nigeria we lose thousands every year to migration.”
A panel discussion on school-to-work transitions emphasized partnerships as the key to successful transition to work initiatives. Speakers called for tri-party partnerships between youth, education systems and employers. They also encouraged employers to connect for a more unified approach to their needs, and urged educators to focus on training for growth industries. “Make sure what people are apprenticing in has a future,” said Monika Aring, Director at Ohio State University. “In many developing countries, people are apprenticing in sectors that don’t have a sustainable future. Nothing is worse than being a young person and having dreams for the future—and seeing no future ahead of yourself.”
Information communication technology was identified as a key learning tool for youth around the world. “Traditionally, young people were not seen as the experts,” said Jennifer Corriero, the 22-year-old Canadian founder of TakingITGlobal, who was recently selected by the World Economic Forum as one of the Global Leaders of Tomorrow for 2002. “Now young people are able to have competencies in an area that is a critical fuel of this society. There is a shift taking place—we have the opportunity to gain a great amount of power in this paradigm shift.”
Australian delegate Richard Curtin, a professor at the University of Canberra, explained how IT can enhance entrepreneurial endeavours in low-income countries. He offered the example of Ecosandals.com, a footwear company that has put a Nairobi shantytown on the global map. Local residents make sandals from the rubber of discarded tires, and sell them through their Web site. Sales of the product have escalated since the venture was brought online, and revenues are being used to build a school in the impoverished community.
For more info on the Youth Employment Summit, go to [http://www.youthemploymentsummit.org]. To check out the Global Knowledge Resource online, go to [http://www.youthemploymentsummit.org/gkr.html].
For daily REALM Magazine coverage of the Youth Employment Summit in Egypt, keep an eye out on http://www.realm.net or right here on http://www.takingitglobal.orgFyodor Salmov, 24, member, Qualification Fund, Sofia, Bulgaria
Iva Petrova, 27, member, board of directors, National Socrates Agency, Sofia, Bulgaria
What do you hope to achieve at the Youth Employment Summit?
Fyodor: “We came to make contacts, to exchange ideas and to share experiences.”
What is the youth unemployment rate in Bulgaria?
Iva: “The national unemployment rate is 20 percent, and the youth rate is about 40 percent.”
What is the biggest obstacle facing youth employment in your country?
Iva: “Companies want you to have two- to three-years’ experience. Mainly companies want languages, computer skills and experience. Youth lack that experience. People that have lots of experience are protected by law—they can’t be fired.”
What are the biggest industries in your country?
Fyodor: “Probably energy; after that textiles.”
What is the best/worst thing about your country, in your opinion?
Fyodor and Iva:
Best: “Nature, because in such a small area you have mountains and seas.”
Worst: “Six to seven years ago it was the politics. We lost a lot after the communists left, but now we’re doing better. In November we hope to become members of NATO.”
What is the biggest issue you would like to see addressed at this conference?
Iva: “Joint projects. Maybe we should do more multilateral exchanges between young people to see the best practices of all countries.”
What do youth do for fun in your country?
Iva: “Sports and disco. The alcohol in Bulgaria is very very cheap.”
How accessible is post-secondary education in terms of gender?
Iva: “One of the things that remains after communism is that both men and women have guaranteed equal access to higher education.”
What should be the role of Western countries in helping developing countries’ needs?
Fyodor and Iva: “Helping with the education of young people, helping with the rights of women and minorities, and funding projects—especially for education. We have many ideas, but we need money.”
What are the next steps after this Summit?
Fyodor: “To have a summit in Bulgaria with neighbouring countries (Romania, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Macedonia and Greece). We have almost the same problems, so we can help each other.”Tienobrebeogo Aolele, Francophone University Club, Burkina Faso
“I would love to be a journalist because I enjoy talking with people and writing about their lives.”
Meleika Thom, 23, Volunteer Youth Corps, Georgetown, Guyana
“It is my dream to be self-employed because I prefer to be in control of my future and I don’t like depending on an employer for my income. It would also give me the chance to provide employment for other youth and to give them hope.”
Ojo Anuoluwapo, 21, recent graduate in international relations and founder of Able Humanity Foundation, Lagos, Nigeria
“My dream job is not about salary. It is about bringing less-advantaged people together, helping humanity and taking care of people…trying to create job opportunities for people with disabilities.”
Carlos Fernandes, 25, YES Mozambique, Maputo, Mozambique
“To teach sociology to young people, as well as to be a freelance researcher in international development, HIV/AIDS and race awareness.”
Bremley Lyngdoh, 27, international youth advisor for Youth Employment Summit, Shillong, India
“My dream job would be to reform the United Nations from the inside out. Together with other young professionals we could change international policy.”
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