Delegate: Ms. Philine Frei
66. Ms. Frei (Switzerland), speaking as a youth delegate, said that young people were a source of innovation and productivity but their potential was being neglected, with 75 million of them unemployed worldwide. Her Government therefore welcomed thehigh priority given to good education and employment practices in the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth (E/CN.5/2013/7). The international community should ensure universal access to education, economic growth and job creation, in particular for disadvantaged young people; encourage self-employment and entrepreneurship; and respect their right to work. Closer collaboration between the public and private sectors was indispensable to make education more responsive to labour market needs.
67. The post-2015 development agenda should consider the interrelationship between economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, together with ecological sustainability. The link between sustainable development and decent work for all had been recognized by the International Labour Conference at its 102nd session in June 2013.
68. Young people in conflict and post-conflict situations faced great challenges. Of the 57 million children without access to education, half lived in conflict zones. Education would enable them to overcome economic hardship and participate in society. The World Programme of Action for Youth encouraged young people to contribute to peace and security. Political participation could break the cycle of violence and opportunities for young people would unfold their potential as agents of change towards a peaceful future.
UN Doc.: A/C.3/68/SR.2
Cite as:
UN Doc.: A/C.3/68/SR.2, 7 October 2013, p. 10, Youth Delegate Search: https://youthdelegatesearch.org/switzerland-2013/, doi: 10.17176/20221018-193649-0.