Myriam Khoury, Vice President of Innovation at Mercy Corps, challenges people from countries across the globe to get involved in Global Entrepreneurship Week to help address critical social issues such as youth unemployment.
According to the World Bank, over the next decade, 1 billion young people will try to enter the job market, but less than half will succeed in finding formal employment. However, during times of crisis like conflict or the current pandemic, young people are often the first to lose their jobs. This means that millions of young people are at risk of unemployment or pursuing risky informal employment.
Employment, entrepreneurship and other income-generating opportunities often provide more than economic benefits – they provide youth with a purpose and a sense of status and belonging. Not to mention that the choices young people make today – which are influenced by the people and events around them – contribute to the possibility for peace, stability and progress in their communities and some of the world’s most fragile places.
A young person’s entry into the labor market has life-long implications for their career opportunities and maturation. Yet, almost half of all young people in the labor force are either working but poor or are unemployed. We have the unique ability to work with these young people to address the specific problems they’re facing. We can help them connect to new clients and opportunities, get access to career counseling, strengthen their capacity by supporting technical training and education systems; and help them access their first jobs through apprenticeships and internships.
Together, we can meet this challenge.
Learn more about global youth unemployment and what Mercy Corps is doing to help: here.