Responding to the Call for Action on the youth employment crisis through partnerships and strategic alliances

At its 101st International Labour Conference in June 2012, the ILO adopted a Resolution on “The youth employment crisis: A call for action”, which provides a global framework for countries to shape national strategies and take context-specific and targeted action on youth employment.

The Call for Action highlights the importance of partnerships and strategic alliances to promote decent work for youth at global, regional and national levels.

Broad-based partnerships can address youth employment more effectively as they are: i) efficient because they pool resources and each partner contributes its expertise and shares the costs and benefits; ii) effective because they involve a variety of actors in the creation of decent jobs; and iii) mutually beneficial because investing in decent jobs for youth contributes to having productive workers, entrepreneurs and consumers.

The objective of this side event, jointly organized by the Permanent Mission of Germany and the ILO, is to discuss youth employment partnerships involving multiple actors at the global, regional and national levels.

The event will also highlight the role of and contributions by the social partners in the promotion of decent work for youth.

The presentations by panelists will be followed by a Q&A and a knowledge sharing session with participants.

Time: 13:15 - 14:45

Chair: Mr Gilbert Houngbo
ILO Deputy Director-General for Field Operations and Partnerships

Opening remarks: H.E. Mr Thomas Fitschen
Ambassador, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UN Geneva

Ms Azita Berar Awad
Director, ILO Employment Policy Department

Ms Maria Luisa Escorel
Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Brazil to the UN Geneva

Mr Roberto Suarez Santos
Deputy Secretary-General, International Organisation of Employers

Ms Raquel Gonzalez
Director Geneva Office, International Trade Union Confederation