United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has said that young people were already facing disproportionate levels of unemployment and under-employment before the coronavirus pandemic.
In his World Youth Skills Day message on Thursday, the UN chief noted that more than one out of five youth were not in employment, education, or training, the majority of them young women.
“Today, we celebrate youth resilience, drive and innovation in times of COVID-19,” he said in a statement made available.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated this troubling situation. In many cases, it has forced organizations to pause skills development training. Distance learning posed a particular challenge for Technical Vocational Education and Training, particularly among marginalised youth.
“To recover better, we must address the longstanding disparities and challenges faced by young people. That means ramping up skills development and education, with a particular focus on climate action, sustainable development, gender equality and inclusivity. It is crucial to boost investments in Technical Vocational Education and Training, broadband connectivity and digital skills,” he said.
Mr. Guterres added that young people drive solutions and must have a seat at the table, including at the local, national, and global levels.
“Youth 2030, the United Nations system-wide Youth Strategy, lays out the roadmap for the UN and partners to work for and with young people worldwide. I urge everyone to make the most of this framework and together, build an inclusive, fair and sustainable development for all.”
