Incheon Youth Declaration on the Future of Work

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Incheon Youth Declaration on the Future of Work PREAMBLE As the delegates of the 6th Asian Youth Forum, we are a group of 200 young people between the ages of 18 to 30.

1 Incheon Youth Declaration on the Future of Work PREAMBLE As the delegates of the 6th Asian Youth Forum, we are a group of 200 young people between the ages of 18 to 30. Coming from 27 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, we gathered in Incheon, South Korea to discuss the challenges our generation faces as we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Our declaration actively supports all young people, regardless of gender, disability, socio-economic background, ethnicity, religion and sexuality. We recognize the critical importance of peace and prosperity in the Korean peninsula, across the Asia-Pacific region and throughout the world. Out of our learning and collaboration, we present this call to action: VISION We, the young people of Asia and the Pacific, envision a world of work where technology and rapid change improve the lives of all people without compromising the state of our planet and its resources. All young people should be empowered through creative, inclusive and decent working and learning environments to unlock their full potential in achieving their goals, whilst contributing to the growth and development of the region. We call upon governments, the private sector, multilateral institutions, civil society, and young people ourselves to take the following actions: Ensuring Decent Work and Inclusion Opportunities to enter the world of work should be provided to all young people, and we should have access to safe and inclusive working environments as well as adequate income. Addressing deep-rooted social norms in learning and working environments will also enable young people to equitably participate in education and

2 employment, regardless of age, gender, socio-economic status, ethnicity, sexuality or disability. Therefore, we urge: Governments to collect disaggregated data on indicators of inclusion in the economy and take corrective actions where people are excluded on any basis. As a part of this, governments should provide incentives to corporations working with vulnerable groups and minorities; Private Sector to encourage board member representation of young people - especially of people with disabilities, women, minorities, indigenous groups, and young survivors of violence and crime. Employers will also provide skills enhancement training, including in management and leadership, for their young employees; Multilateral Institutions to encourage governments to pursue game changing strategies that address ingrained inequalities. By promoting accountability and transparency of governments, fair allocation and distribution of resources should reach all young people, especially those from more marginalized backgrounds. Additionally, multilateral institutions should include representation of young people in their governance structures. Young People to actively drive and engage in campaigns that challenge discrimination and injustice in the workplace. They will build on youth-led initiatives such as sports and platforms for life-long learning, proper utilization of technology, responsible citizenship, and youth-leadership. Young people should be mobilized to demand and achieve their rights to decent work. Transitioning from Education and Training to Work Adequate financial and human resources, as well as infrastructural and technological investments should enable young people from marginalized backgrounds to equitably participate in education, training and the world of work. Efforts must be made to significantly smooth the path between education and employment. Thus, we urge: Governments to ensure that education systems reflect the realities of today s world of work. Governments should develop and implement programs and policies which expand access to technical and life skills training, mentoring and support for young people s transition to work; Private Sector to align corporate strategies in support of initiatives that proactively provide internships, trainings, scholarships, and employment opportunities to young people;

3 Civil Society to facilitate young people s access to skills and opportunities they need to thrive in the world of work through vocational trainings, mentoring and support. Priority should be given to those unable to access opportunities provided by the state or private sector. Multilateral Institutions to leverage technical and financial assistance which supports the capacity building and infrastructure development of vulnerable and marginalized communities, and improves their access to training, education and decent work opportunities; Young People to actively create and engage in networks among peers and mentors, which will facilitate meaningful capacity building, advocacy for better quality service provision, and greater exchange of knowledge and experiences. Fostering Youth Entrepreneurship Access to knowledge, information, financing and networks should enable young people to start their own businesses and succeed as entrepreneurs. As such, we urge: Governments to strengthen the implementation of policies which provide young people with adequate financial, technical, and social support, as well as establishing a conducive regulatory environment for youth-led new business ventures. Private Sector to support the inclusion in value chains of youth-led enterprises, and connect young entrepreneurs to available resources and opportunities; Civil Society to connect young entrepreneurs with business leaders and mentors who can share their own experiences and expertise in establishing and growing businesses; Education and Training Institutions to provide affordable and accessible training programs that cultivate entrepreneurial knowledge and skills among young people ensuring no one is left behind; Young People to actively pursue opportunities such as voluntary programs, internships, and international forums which equip them with essential life and technical skills to help them thrive in the world of business. Preparing for Jobs of the Future Proper support is required to strengthen the adaptability and resilience of young people and promote a culture of lifelong learning. This will enable young people to take charge of their own futures and succeed as self-reliant individuals amidst the evolution of work today and into the future. Thus, we urge:

4 Governments to create and implement policies and programmes that are relevant to emerging skills and jobs, enabling young people to remain competitive in the modern world of work; Private Sector to actively spearhead innovation that helps create more decent job opportunities for young people, especially the marginalized. They should provide routes to employment such as through scholarships and job trainings to increase work readiness and productivity; Civil Society and Multilateral Institutions to foster and facilitate collaboration across all sectors to promote innovative initiatives that ensure young people gain the skills required in today s world and are adaptable for the future; Young People to invest in building their own capacities by proactively accessing available training opportunities, whilst being open to the option of reskilling as required. This will enable young people to develop resilience in the face of constant change, and actively pursue lifelong learning. URGENCY OF CALL TO ACTION For us, the young people of Asia-Pacific, the ever-changing and competitive job market requires constant upgrading of skills and lifelong learning. We acknowledge and appreciate the significant efforts being made by different stakeholders in anticipation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We further aspire for this declaration to catalyze further action and contribute as a milestone towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We urge the international community to invest in more innovative, large-scale and market-relevant solutions for youth employment and entrepreneurship. We request the continuous support of all stakeholders for youth programs and capacity-building initiatives similar to the Asian Youth Forum where young people s voices can be heard. We thank the people of Incheon Metropolitan City, Incheon Tourism Organization and the Republic of Korea for their hospitality and for graciously hosting the 6th Asian Youth Forum. We are grateful for the support of the Asian Development Bank, Plan International, AIESEC and other partners who have shown tremendous support in preparing our generation to meet the ever-evolving demands and challenges of the future world of work. Signed on the 11 th of August 2018 in Incheon, South Korea.

5 We the undersigned support this declaration: Ayumi Konishi Heo Jong Sik Yofan Aditia Samira Hassan Adelwina Asuncion Choi Joo Eun Ferny Prayitno Satyananda Kusuma

EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES LOOKING FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE PRAGUE DECLARATION 2009

EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES LOOKING FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE PRAGUE DECLARATION 2009 Copyright 2009 by the European University Association All rights reserved. This information may be freely used and copied for