About 53 percent of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean are people younger than age 25. The vast majority of these young people will grow up during a time of social, economic, technological, and political changes that will affect them profoundly. Such changes and the growth in the number of young people will have far-reaching implications for governments, economies, communities, and the environment. The future of the region has never been so heavily dependent on a single generation and never has a generation been beset with so many challenges. The complexity and magnitude of the challenges that young people face today are enormous. Yet the youth demographic explosion offers an unprecedented opportunity to renew the region’s human and social capital. Their knowledge, skills, and good health are the crucial building blocks to economic and social progress and environmental sustainability. Despite all the challenges youth are facing today, they want to be taken into account by the societies of which they are members. They can be a tremendous resource for development if they have access to education, training, health care, employment, opportunities for self-development and opportunities to contribute and participate.
This is the time for all nations in the region to embrace a new development paradigm: rather than looking at young people as problems (or simply as beneficiaries), it is time to see them as active protagonists for their own development and the development of their communities. In order to implement a new paradigm of development, there is a need for closer cooperation among hemispheric bodies, civil society, the public and private sectors and young people themselves.
Fifty-six young people from the Americas will be selected to exchange experiences and discuss their work with representatives of youth organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), governments, the private sector, and international organizations and subsequently examine best practices, extract lessons learned and draw practical conclusions.
Interested youth people may apply here...
The Seminar will (1) present findings on best practices, successful programs and effective partnerships for building human and social capital among youth; (2) analyze existing and potential policies that would create a more supportive environment for youth development and participation; (3) highlight the economic and social contributions of young people at the community and national level and; (4)emphasize the strategic importance of investing in youth development and participation.
Discussions will center around the following areas: education/training, technology, employment, health, participation and community service, and emergency relief.
For further information on the IDB's Youth Development and Outreach Program, please click here.
Contact: Marta Estarellas
MartaE@iadb.org
Fabian Koss FabianK@iadb.org
