Delegate: Melissa Ofoedu (23 years)
46. Ms. Ofoedu (Austria), speaking as a youth delegate, said that the Secretary-General had warned of a lost generation unable to find employment, while the International Labour Organization (ILO) had asserted that 75 million young people were unemployed or inunstable employment. Moreover, there had been increases in the number of people not in education, employment or training, and asylum seekers unable to work while waiting for residency permits. Despite young people’s precarious employment situation, however, Governments had failed to take action. Policymakers should give asylum seekers access to the labour market, reform legislation, promote social protection programmes and end economic measures which reduced demand and output, thus generating fewer jobs for young people. Member States should instead implement expansionary fiscal policies.
47. Education could offer young people an alternative to unemployment, but many were unable to register because of their gender, socioeconomic status or location. Spending cuts following the financial crisis had worsened the problem.
48. The rates of neonatal and maternal mortality and the number of women and girls with an unmet need for contraceptives could be reduced if sexual and reproductive health services were provided to women, [*8*] ensuring gender equality and helping achieve the MDGs. Delaying pregnancy prolonged women’s chances for an education, leading to more skilledworkers and faster economic and social development.
49. Time had run out for meeting global challenges. Modern technological and intellectual advances contributed to equal rights for women and men, and could help build the future.
UN Doc.: A/C.3/67/SR.2
Cite as:
UN Doc.: A/C.3/67/SR.2, 24 December 2012, p. 7-8, Youth Delegate Search: https://youthdelegatesearch.org/austria-2012/, doi: 10.17176/20221018-193747-0.