15 July 2017: World Youth Skills Day

The United Nations, at its General Assembly in November 2014, declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day to be celebrated annually.

The UN-designated day seeks to generate greater awareness of, and discussion on, the importance of technical, vocational education, and training and the development of other skills relevant to both local and global economies.

It is hoped that it will contribute to reducing unemployment and underemployment among the youth across the globe. It will highlight youth skills development to draw attention to the critical need for marketable skills.

On 18 December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus, a resolution, spearheaded by Sri Lanka, declaring 15 July as the World Youth Skills Day. Sri Lanka initiated this resolution, with the assistance of the G77 and China, to highlight, at a global level, the importance of youth skills development.

The goal is to achieve better socio-economic conditions for today’s youth, including as a means of addressing the challenges of unemployment and under employment. The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Youth, Mr. Ahmed Alhendawi, and his office, fully supports this initiative.

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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