Government policies and practices

1. The current economic and social conditions in a given country
2. Lack of education, especially education targeted to employment
3. Lack of enabling macro policies that promote Youth Employment
4. Lack of access and appropriate use of new technologies to support Youth Employment


Business/Private practices

5. Lack of credit and other services to serve youth in generating self-employment
6. Lack of private sector partnerships to promote youth employment
7. Lack of productive on-farm and off-farm employment

Social Conditions

8. Discrimination against young people and more specifically, young women
9. Lack of self-empowerment-generating opportunities

Looking at the size and scope of these barriers, we can see that reaching high levels of youth employment and sustainable livelihoods is not a trivial undertaking. There needs to be a concerted effort, both within countries and globally, if we are to meet the goal of creating the synergy and knowledge needed to ensure that 500 million young adults, especially youth facing poverty, will have productive and sustainable livelihoods by the year 2012.

First it is appropriate to recognize these barriers and next, to point out the opportunities that each barrier presents. The next step is to identify initiatives designed to overcome these barriers, taking place in different parts of the globe.

The barriers and the opportunities they raise:

Government policies and practices:

The opportunity:
Young people have the largest stake in the future. Building the infrastructure and providing basic services can offer employment opportunities to youth.

2. Lack of education, especially targeted to employment: In countries where basic education is not available to all, and/or where the education system and the economic structure are not related, the probability that youth will receive an education that prepares them for meaningful employment is low. As the speed with which new information and technology are introduced increases, the lack of education becomes increasingly more critical.

The opportunity: New technology makes it possible to bring information and learning into remote areas, poor areas, and areas which lack conventional educational facilities. Youth can not only benefit from the improved learning opportunities, but this infusion of technology offers employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, as well.

3. Lack of enabling macro policies that promote Youth Employment: Countries need to establish specific policies geared to increasing access to, and development of, employment. Moreover, countries need to assess current policies across a wide spectrum to see if they intentionally or inadvertently impede youth employment.

The opportunity: The need to systematically examine existing policies offers opportunities for youth to learn research skills, gain organizational experience, and learn writing and speaking skills. The need to create new policies offers youth the opportunity to apprentice with policy makers, learn policy development skills, and find employment in NGOs and other organizations that will contribute to the creation of the new policies.

4. Lack of access and appropriate use of new technologies to support Youth Employment: The growing information and technology gap between countries that are rich in technology and those on the wrong side of the digital divide is becoming an important factor in determining which ones will have viable economic futures. While the private sector has an important role to play in increasing access to technology, governments need to establish policies and practices that support technology growth and ensure the benefits reach a wide range of citizens.

The opportunity: There are innovative programs that bring technology in the form of cell phones, computers, etc. to impoverished communities. Young people can seize these opportunities to create entrepreneurial businesses such as information exchanges and weather-reporting services for farmers and fishermen.

5. Lack of credit and other services to serve youth in generating self-employment: Banks and other lending/credit institutions need to create policies and strategies that include youth as viable borrowers.

The opportunity: This barrier offers one of the more direct opportunities for youth to benefit. Even small changes in bank and credit-provider policy will have immediate direct impact on youth entrepreneurship opportunities.

6. Lack of private sector partnerships to promote youth employment: Employers, work force development agencies, and educationists need to collaborate on policies and practices that will enable youth to learn the skills they need to gain meaningful employment. This learning could take place in educational institutions and in the workplace. It is also important that the private sector promote the need for meaningful youth employment and help increase public awareness about the issues.

The opportunity: As with improving governmental policies, the immediate opportunities for youth lie in the skills they can acquire. Youth could work with companies and other organizations on promoting youth employment - and learn presentation, data collection, organization, and skills directly related to career opportunities.

7. Lack of productive on-farm and off-farm employment: Rural youth are particularly susceptible to limited employment opportunities. Many youth leave rural areas and migrate to cities where they swell the ranks of the unemployed.

The opportunity: The growing interest in a healthy environment and healthy foods offers opportunities for melding technology with agriculture to improve farming practices which would, in turn, offer additional opportunities for viable employment for youth.

8. Discrimination against young people and more specifically, young women: In some cultures, respect for the elderly may lead to lack of respect for the skills and talents of the young. In countries where formal sector employment is low, youth employment - and especially employment for young women - is seen as less important than employment for adult males. Educational opportunities for girls and young women are restricted in many countries, limiting their opportunities for acquiring the skills needed for meaningful employment.

The opportunity: The opportunity for older persons to mentor young men and women will both increase the young persons chances to learn skills, - and gain employment, but will also begin to break down the barriers between the generations. Small entrepreneurial programs of women-helping-women can be established. With support from NGOs and others, young people can take leadership roles in creating these organizations.

9. Lack of self-confidence-generating opportunities: Youth who lack role models of successful enterprise may have limited horizons. While poor governmental policies can limit opportunity, lack of self-confidence can limit opportunities even where good governmental policies exist.

The opportunity: Empowerment of youth as a way to build their confidence is imperative to the success of youth employment initiatives. Technology-based programs, on and off-farm programs, small entrepreneurial opportunities…. There is an endless list of programs that offer the opportunity for youth to develop the leadership skills they need to become self-confident.

» Conflict/War
» Cultural Biases (Especially Against Females)
» Discrimination
» Few Formal Sector Jobs
» Lack of Cooperation Between Private Sector/Government/NGO's/Grass Roots Organizations
» Lack of Credit
» Lack of Educational Opportunities
» Lack of Knowledge
» Lack of Materials/Resources
» Lack of Mentoring
» Lack of School-To-Work Programs
» Lack of Self-Confidence
» Lack of Skills
» Lack of Training
» Lack of Work Experience
» Limited Support Systems
» No Market for Goods
» No or Limited Access To Information and Communication Technology
» Poor Economic Conditions in the Country
» Poor or No Employment Policies
» Poor Social Conditions