HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Silatech and UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate, on Monday announced that youth will be provided three million employment opportunities globally by 2022. She called for more partners to help raise that number to five million.
During the high-level event, “Empowering Youth, Transforming Societies”, hosted by Silatech at the International Conference Centre Geneva, Sheikha Moza reaffirmed Silatech’s commitment to tackling rising youth unemployment through economic and social empowerment.
At 30 percent, youth unemployment in the Arab region is currently one of the highest in the world, compared to 13 percent globally. “Without meaningful work, our young men and women have no hope for the future, leaving them more vulnerable to radicalisation, violence and political extremism,” Sheikha Moza said.
She warned that without decent livelihood opportunities and meaningful work frustrated youth become socially, politically and economically excluded and marginalised, exacerbating pressing global challenges like poverty, social unrest and mass migration.
“Young men and women need the chance to earn a living that will allow them to support their families, contribute to society, and build better futures,” Sheikha Moza continued. “This is the hope that Silatech offers.”
Sheikha Moza also participated in a panel where she stressed the importance of investing in both education and employment. “Education without employment can lead to frustration... and employment without education is a false dream,” said Sheikha Moza.
She emphasised the role of quality education in shaping youth for the future, but it must be followed by meaningful employment to give youth a chance to become productive citizens and “the engine of growth”.