BLOGS

Originally posted on forumblog.org on October 24, 2014.

The Finance Alliance for Sustainable Trade (FAST) helps to bring financial skills and training to small and medium business owners, including youth, all over the world. As a membership-based organization, FAST’s members also seek to empower those businesses, including youth and future young leaders and entrepreneurs, in sustainable economic development by providing them with assistance, skills, and financial education.

The positive economic impact of the Internet is well known. Mobile and Internet platforms have increased access to improved agriculture, education, health, and governance services by otherwise underserved communities. Beyond improving delivery of key social services, Information Communication Technology (ICT) is generating transformative growth – growth that creates sustainable pathways out of poverty.

Economic opportunity is a critical driver of individual and family security, and national growth, development and social progress. Harnessing the capacity of youth in particular, as producers and consumers, can be a boon to both national and the global economy alike. Yet around the world, youth in developed and emerging economies continue to face significant barriers to fulfill their economic promise and prospects.