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UN senior official stresses need to enhance core skills of youth

Xinhua, July 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Sam K. Kutesa, president of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, stressed Wednesday the need to enhance the core skills of the youth, according to his statement marking the first-ever World Youth Skills Day.

The UN General Assembly designated July 15 as World Youth Skills Day in 2014, which underscores the need to support programming and initiatives that equip young people with tools and resources to enhance their ability to make informed life and work choices.

"Beyond educational, entrepreneurial and vocational skills, there is also a need to enhance the core skills of the youth, including, interpersonal skills, innovation, creativity, values and attitudes; all of which will help foster a generation of young people that contributes to the well-being of their homes, their communities, as well as their workplaces," said the statement, which was read out by Maria Cristina Perceval, permanent representative of Argentina to the UN.

According to the UN statistics, almost 74 million young people (aged 15 to 24) were looking for work in 2014. And two thirds of youth in developing economies are without work, not studying, or engaged in irregular or informal employment.

"As we mark this first World Youth Skills Day, we are afforded an opportunity to reflect on the important role of young people around the world and identify ways to maximize their potential," said the statement.

"Indeed, the youth are no longer just the leaders of tomorrow, but are valued partners today; as we seek to put the world on a course toward a better, more sustainable future," it said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday also called for investing politically and financially in developing the skills of young people so they can build a more just and sustainable future for all

Ban said in a message that skills development reduces poverty and better equips young people to find decent jobs, adding that it triggers a process of empowerment and self-esteem that benefits everyone. Endite