High-level event on Youth Employment for Peace and Resilience

Under the aegis of the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, the event is co-organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) together with the Ministry of Employment and Social Security of Spain and the Permanent Mission of Tunisia to the United Nations.

Background

Today, about two billion people live in countries where development outcomes are affected by conflict, violence and disasters. More than one third of this population are young women and men, 15 to 24 years of age. Fragile situations disrupt every aspect of life and create additional barriers for young people who are already disproportionately affected by unemployment and decent work deficits. 

In June 2017, the International Labour Conference adopted the Recommendation 205 (2017) on Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience, which provides new and updated guidance on how to promote jobs and decent work opportunities in response to crises arising from conflict and disasters. The instrument pays special attention to children and young people in fragile situations, offering evidence-based advice to enhance their protection, education and training, as well as measures to smooth youth’s transition into decent work.

Joint action to foster youth employment, peace and resilience is being facilitated by the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, the overarching platform for the promotion of youth employment in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Youth in fragile situations is one of the thematic priorities of the Global Initiative and has the proactive engagement of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Objectives

  • Introduce and raise awareness about the Recommendation 205 on Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience, adopted in 2017;
  • Discuss specific challenges faced by young women and men in fragile situations and the role of youth employment in promoting peace and resilience; and
  • Highlight some of the lessons learned and the way forward to supporting young women and men in fragile situations under the aegis of the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth.

Event details

The event is co-organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) together with the Ministry of Employment and Social Security of Spain and the Permanent Mission of Tunisia to the United Nations. The event will be held in New York on Wednesday, 20 September 2017, from 8:15 am to 9:45 am.

The event will bring together Ministers and other high-level representatives of governments, social partners, UN entities, business, youth organizations and other key stakeholders to share lessons learned, highlight best practices and advance joint work on youth employment in fragile situations in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Registration

The event takes place outside of the UN security zone and can be accessed without special event passes or tickets. As seating is limited, all guests are encouraged to confirm their participation to pak@ilo.org.  A registration desk will be set up outside of the meeting room.