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World Youth Skills Day 2024: Youth skills for peace and sustainable development
Ten years ago, in December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly established World Youth Skills Day as to emphasize the critical importance of equipping young people with essential skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship, as well as for addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development.
2024 marks a significant milestone to reflect on the transformative progress made in youth skills development over the past decade, but also the gaps that remain and the challenges that still need to be addressed, in the context of a constantly evolving world of work. The international community has amplified its efforts to bridge the gap between education and employment, adapting to rapid technological advancements and shifting economic priorities.
To celebrate this milestone, the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Sri Lanka to the United Nations, UNESCO, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Youth Office are convening a virtual panel discussion to:
- Review effective practices and interventions to advance skills development that enables youth to contribute actively to peace and sustainable development.
- Highlight youth’s contribution to the acceleration of the achievement of the SDGs especially those related to skills and decent work for peace and resilience,
- Highlight the positive experiences and skills of young people that have contributed to a workplace free from violence and harassment.
- Explore ways to foster social and emotional learning into education and training systems to equip youth with skills for empathy, resilience, and conflict resolution.
- Explore ways to foster global citizenship education and integrate it in curricula at all levels of education, including TVET, to enhance understanding of global issues and empower youth to act as agents of change.
The event will be streamed on UN Web TV on 15 July 2024, 10.00 - 11.30 am (EST).
Watch the event on UN Web TV
Agenda
Moderator: Ms. Nehiesmy Navarro, Youth, Advisor for the UN Youth Advisory Group in Costa Rica
10.00 - 10.10 am - Welcoming remarks
- H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly
- H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
- H.E. Mr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs
10.10 - 10.50 am - Keynote address and interactive panel
Keynote: Ms. Hawa Abdi, Youth, Member of Transform Education hosted by UNGEI
Interactive panel
- H.E. Mr. Peter Mohan Maithri Pieris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
- H.E. Mr. Rui Vinhas, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations
- Ms. Mia Seppo, Assistant Director-General for Jobs and Social Protection, ILO
- Mr. Borhene Chakroun, Director of Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems, UNESCO
- Ms. Richa Gupta, CEO and Co-founder of Labhya & Young Leader for the SDGs
- Ms. Tomiloba Babarinde, Legal Officer, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association
- Youth Workers representative (TBC)
10.50 - 11.20 am - Q&A
11.20 - 11.30 am - Closing session
- Ms. Nehiesmy Navarro, Youth, Advisor for the UN Youth Advisory Group in Costa Rica
