ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

I perceive participating in Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD3) in South Africa as a marvelous opportunity to augment my knowledge through the mutual sharing of skills and expertise among the scholars and bright mind scientist. I believe this conference as an adventure to synergize fruitful innovative ideas which will help to nurture the young professional and consequently bring the new insight into sustainable agricultural development. 

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the international community’s ambitious response to today’s most pressing global development challenges. It will guide our development priorities for an entire generation. Young people played a key role in shaping this agenda and understand the stakes: they experience first-hand many of the issues it seeks to address. The goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda are interconnected, aiming to integrate the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. 

On 1-2 February 2016, over 800 young leaders from around the world, along with high-level national and international policy makers, convened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the 5th ECOSOC Youth Forum. The forum provided a platform for young people to engage in dialogue with member states and other stakeholders on concrete commitments and actions to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and discussed how youth can be involved in its implementation and follow up.

Youth are too often overlooked as stakeholders in conversations about global governance. When the conversation is about sustainability, no demographic should be more front and center than the youth (individuals aged 15-24) who will inherit the world we shape now. Currently, youth stats are unsustainable. In response to this youth unemployment crisis, and in an effort to engage youth in governing for the future, the United Nations Economic and Social Council hosted a Youth Forum this month.

For decades promoting gender equality and empowering women has been on the development agenda. We know that empowering women, and particularly young women, to make their own choices for an active participation in the economy makes a difference on so many fronts. The research shows an abundance of positive links. And yet it’s clear that another generation of young women remains outside the reach of what should be their full economic and self-empowerment potential. 

This story is part of a special report on the global youth unemployment crisis, “Generation TBD.” It's the result of a GroundTruth reporting fellowship featuring 21 correspondents in 11 countries, a year-long effort that brings together media, technology, education and humanitarian partners for an authoritative exploration of the problem and possible solution

A second year student from Salford City College’s Future Skills has started building a career, at one of the most well-known brands in the country. Eighteen-year-old Zubair  Rana from Cheetham Hill has secured a part-time job at ITV’s Media City UK office, after completing a six-week summer placement there as part of his college course.

Thoughtfully designed digital sharing connects youth in emerging markets with employers that need immediate short-term work. Employers find freelancers through an online platform that aligns availability, pay, and skills with the task needed. The platform matches and verifies the identity of both parties, and facilitates the digital transfer of payments, IP, and confidentiality agreements as necessary. The freelancer provides high-quality work, and the employer pays, provides feedback, and rates their experience.