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Sober reflection on the occasion of the 11th Celebration of the International Youth Day, would afford us the opportunity to appreciate the positive strides made in the global efforts for the investment by Trade Unions in the mobilising of the youth to carry the ideals of Trade Unionism to the next generation.



The youth today are confronted with challenges of unemployment, discrimination, poor access to education and health among others. Dwindling employment creates pressures on young workers to accept to work under inhuman working conditions, which in the long run affect their health and economic situation.



As an international network of young workers, we face the challenge of becoming a strong mouth piece of the youth especially young workers to ensure that young people have opportunities for career development, education, job security and to enjoy the fruits of decent work principles.



We have undoubtedly chalked successes in empowering young workers for effective participation in critical decisions to protect the Trade Union rights of young workers. We have worked tirelessly to make our voices heard on matters that would promote the protection of our rights. However, a lot remains to be achieved as long as many of our brothers and sisters are denied their Trade Union rights. The 11th celebration of the International Youth Day should remind us of our obligation to contribute to the building of a world where equity and fair distribution of resources would expand the scope of opportunities for young people.

The youth is defined as being in the age group of 15 to 35 years and this age constitute a dominant age in terms of numeric advantage, energy and the capacity for increased productivity. The youth needs to be directed, organised and educated on their rights before they can play the meaningful role society expects from them.



It is important for us to sit back to reflect to see if we have been able to invest enough in the youth in terms of empowerment, development, capacity, participation, employment funding among others to achieve the purposes for which this special day has been set aside.



The issue of investment in the youth must gain our attention because governments are placing high premium on economic investment that are inimical to the interests of future generation. Countries endowed with enormous natural resources are making it easier for multinationals to exploit non-renewable natural resources of poor countries without due regard to the social , economic and environmental consequences of such investments. The result had been that the welfare and interests of future generations are mortgaged for paltry immediate economic benefits. We need to protect the interests of future generations and place emphasis on environmental protection.



The youth generally face marginalization from mainstream discussion on National and developmental issues, unemployment, lack of requisite employable skills which makes them vulnerable and uncompetitive on the labour market. Young women face sexual harassment and exploitation by some employers in their quest for employment.



As progressive Trade Union Movements, we seek to address our challenges within a framework of the ILO and United Nations’ 1999 strategic objectives of Rights at Work, Social Protection, Social Dialogue and Employment Creation.



In this regard, we call on Trade Unions to initiate policy direction for the development of young people in the area of appropriate training and motivation to enable them take up responsibilities in future.



We have to prepare the youth through training and orientation. It is encouraging that the youth have demonstrated preparedness to competently manage the future. The youth need to be equipped with requisite skills and technical knowledge through capacity building and active participation in decisions and policy formulation processes to enhance their ability and confidence level to deal with the myriad of challenges facing them worldwide.



There is the need for the Governments to formulate policies that will create jobs for the millions of staggering youth around the globe who are unable to find jobs to curtail social and economic threats.



It is also important for the youth to note that they have vital role to play in youth development and promotion of their own issues as the foundation and lifeblood of Trades Union Movements. Young people must strive to develop themselves through continuous learning and entrepreneurship skills to enable them overcome the high rate of unemployment.



We have to be proactive, focused, creative, and innovative enough by availing ourselves to make meaningful contributions to confront the problems that are facing the youth.



We call on the youth to resist negative tendencies such as political patronage that undermine national and international peace and to contribute to the building of strong Trade Union Movement. It is my belief that through the spirit of volunteerism, the youth would become good and effective leaders in future.



We have to invest in the youth and failing to do so would spell our doom.

I wish you fruitful 11th Celebration of the International Youth Day



MS. ELIZABETH AMMA DENYOH

PRESIDENT- UNI-GLOBAL UNION YOUTH