YMCA at the International Labour Organization

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has established for the first time a forum to specifically look at employment issues for young people on a global scale. The issues facing young people around entering the world of work have never been more serious than in today's economic climate and so the move from the ILO to establish the forum has been welcomed by all. 

One thing that YMCA consistently advocates is youth empowerment and dialogue which is essential when trying to solve the current crisis. A phrase which a delegate said yesterday really emphasises the task we have ahead "...In order to solve youth problems, we need youth solutions...". Getting young people to the table is essential as the crisis we face will not solve itself. 

There have been many themes which have run through the sessions and issues of youth unemployment vary from continent, to country, to region, to city but the need to create jobs is the single recurring element throughout. 

When attending conferences and summits it is easy to get swept up in broad statements and generic solutions. Simply saying 'we need to create more jobs' will not create more jobs. Focussing on the details of specific programmes and the sharing of best practice amongst delegates and organisations has been promoted as the key to a global response to the unemployment crisis.

What the ILO does is bring everyone who needs to be at the table together and the Executive-Director of the ILO Employment Sector summarised it well this morning stating that "...tackling youth unemployment is everyone's business - the workers, the employers and the trade unions...".  This is something that we need to do more of through our own YMCAs.  

We have the ability to play an active and crucial role in working towards a solution to youth unemployment. With our extensive reach and presence we have the biggest opportunity to make a difference for an entire  generation of young people who will  be affected by the crisis for the rest of their lives. 

A global crisis calls for global actors and how many other organisation can say that they have the ability to reach young people where it is needed most - across continents, countries, regions, and cities.