Context:

World Youth Skills Day 2024 was recently celebrated on July 15th.

Key Highlights

• The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2024, "Youth Skills for Peace and Development," emphasizes the role of youth in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Objectives: The primary objectives of World Youth Skills Day 2024 are:

• Celebrate and recognize young people as key agents of change.
• Foster skills development by emphasizing the importance of equipping youth with relevant skills.
• Encourage dialogue between youth and key stakeholders.
• Raise awareness about the challenges in youth skills development.

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 

• The UN General Assembly (UNGA) established in 1945 is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States (193 members), it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. 
• Headquarters: New York, USA

World Youth Skills Day: History and Significance

• World Youth Skills Day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 and first observed on July 15, 2015, raises awareness about the importance of youth skills development to address global unemployment and underemployment. 
• This annual event highlights the need to equip young people with employable skills for personal development, economic empowerment, and workforce integration. 
• It encourages investment in training and education from governments, educational institutions, employers, and organizations to enhance youth capabilities and support sustainable development goals. 
• By focusing on vocational training, education, and apprenticeships, World Youth Skills Day aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, foster innovation, productivity, and social inclusion, and promote global economic growth.

Need for Reskilling:

• 40% of employees' skills are projected to become obsolete within four years. 
• With 67% of the world's youth lacking digital skills and many traditional entry-level roles being automated, there is an urgent need for new skill sets.