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| by Realm - Creating Work You Want, |
Sep 9, 2002 |
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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