The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated existing inequalities and deepened many development challenges, slowing progress toward meeting the U.N. sustainable development goals by 2030. Unemployment and underemployment, the climate crisis, and challenges to our democratic systems disproportionately affect young people’s social and economic mobility and well-being. Meaningful youth participation in the economy is increasingly challenging due to a myriad of factors, including the lack of education, training, and entrepreneurial skills required to thrive in today’s job market. Despite these challenges, young people continue to demonstrate their resilience, determination and innovation in creating economic opportunities to realize their livelihood needs. Youth leaders, youth economic opportunity practitioners, and funders are adapting their priorities to this changing landscape and considering how to build resilient systems to better address the economic participation challenges facing young people.
The 2023 Global Youth Economic Opportunities (YEO) Summit will center on “YEO Reimagined: Powering Youth-Led Action Towards 2030” and will explore how we can reimagine and build sustainable youth economic opportunities, with and for young people in the decade of action. Summit sessions will explore critical emerging topics, including the growing demand for green skills, digital skills and intergenerational programming; mental health; resilience; inclusion; mentorship for entrepreneurs; and private sector engagement, among others.
FHI 360 experts will contribute to important discussions, such as youth economic opportunities in agriculture, integrating youth mental health into workforce development programming, youth systems collaboration, and civic engagement, among others.