Today’s young people are the most educated generation ever. They have clear ideas about fulfilling their aspirations at work and in society and want opportunities for personal autonomy and active citizenship. They want the chance of a decent job.

Achieving decent work for youth is a challenge shared by all countries across the world. On average, young women and men are two to three times more likely to be unemployed than adults (Global Employment Trends for Youth, 2008). All too often, they work unacceptably long hours under informal, intermittent and insecure work arrangements, characterized by low productivity, meagre earnings and reduced labour protection.

Within the international community, the ILO has a special role to play in promoting youth employment. With its expertise, tripartite constituency and global alliances, it can act as a catalyst in mobilizing support and implementing integrated policies and programmes to effectively meet the Millennium Summit Declaration’s commitment on decent and productive work for youth.

In June 2005, government, employers’ and workers’ representatives from 178 countries agreed, at the International Labour Conference, that the best strategy for tackling youth employment requires an integrated approach that combines supportive macro-economic policies and targeted measures, and addresses labour demand and supply, as well as the quantity and quality of employment.

The Employment Sector is hosting the Youth Employment Programme (YEP) which cuts across its departments and other sectors. The YEP operates through a global network of technical specialists at its Headquarters in Geneva and in more than 60 offices around the world.