UN International Youth Day 2019: Transforming education
The theme of International Youth Day 2019 highlights efforts to make education (and training) more relevant, equitable and inclusive for all youth. Rooted in Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – to 'ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all' – International Youth Day 2019 will examine how Governments, young people and youth-led and youth-focused organizations, as well as other stakeholders, are transforming education and how these efforts are contributing to the achievement the 2030 Agenda.
Statistics remind us that significant transformations are still required to make education and skills development systems more inclusive and accessible: Millions of young people find themselves with neither a job nor an educational opportunity. Globally, one in five young people are NEET: Not in Employment, Education or Training. Three out of four of young NEETs are women. In addition, indigenous youth, young people with disabilities, belonging to vulnerable groups or in vulnerable situations, etc. are facing additional challenges to access education and training that respect their diverse needs and abilities as well as reflect and embrace their unique realities and identities.
Comprehensive youth development strategies benefit society-at-large. Improved basic education and core work skills are particularly important to enable youth to engage in lifelong learning as well as transition to the labour market. Making education and training more relevant, equitable and inclusive is crucial to achieving sustainable development as they play a pivotal role in accelerating progress across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, be it poverty eradication, good health, gender equality, decent work and growth, reduced inequalities, action on climate or building peaceful societies. Finally, skills acquisition is crucial for preparing the youth for the opportunities and challenges that rapidly changing social contexts bring.
In line with its mandate to pool knowledge and experiences on skills from credible sources, the Skills for Employment Knowledge-Sharing Platform offers a variety of resources on topics related to skills development for youth. These include Quality Apprenticeships, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), lifelong learning and more. A selection of these resources is highlighted on the right hand margin of this page.