Zanzibari youth today commemorated the first ever World Youth Skills Day by hosting a discussion on youth skills with members of youth organizations in Zanzibar.

The World Youth Skills Day aims to highlight the growing global need to invest in youth skills to allow youth to reach their full potential and become productive members of society.

Speaking at the opening of the event Dr Ghirmay Andemichael, Officer in Charge of the UN Zanzibar Office and Liaison Officer for the the World Health Organisation (WHO) remarked “The world has never been younger. Today’s generation of young people aged 10-24 is the largest ever at 1.8 billion. 90% of those young people are living in developing countries like Tanzania. 74 million of the world’s young people are dealing with unemployment and an uncertain future. ”

Youth unemployment remains at high levels, estimated globally at 74.5 million in 2013, with the majority of unemployed youth living in developing countries. The current unemployment rate for Zanzibari youth is 17% with young women more likely to be unemployed than young men.

“Globally, high levels of youth unemployment are associated with a mismatch between the education system, skills needed in the labour market as well as a shortage of programmes for youth entrepreneurship”, Dr Ghirmay remarked.

Said Othman of UNICEF gave a presentation on the importance of life skills to young people's livelihood, focusing on cognitive skills, personal skills, and inter-personal skills. Speaking to the participants he said, "With the challenges of that being young brings, it is life skills like these that will help you cope and live productive and positive lives. Self-awareness is one of the most important skills in life".

Following presentations on youth skills, the young participants were invited to join consultative discussion with representatives of UNFPA, UNICEF, UN WOMEN, and the Department of Youth in Zanzibar on their future ambitions, the skills they need to achieve their ambitions, and obstacles faced. Amongst the biggest challenges the youths identified as barriers to gaining the right skills to fulfill their potential were lack of financial resources, confidence and self-awareness.

Azzah Nofly, Zanzibar Liaison Officer of UNFPA commented, “With a strong, skilled working age population, the Zanzibar economy can excel - this is known as the demographic dividend. For the demographic dividend to be harnessed, young people need quality education and suitable training that will not only help them fulfill their potential but to allow them to be productive members of society and thus generate wealth that will benefit all.”

The commemoration was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Empowerment, Social Welfare, Youth, Women and Children, YUNA School Clubs, and Zanzibar Youth Organizations. 

The Third Committee of the General Assembly approved a resolution on designating 15 July as a World Youth Skills Day. The decision came in recognition that fostering the acquisition of skills by young people would enhance their ability to make informed life and work choices and empower them to gain access to changing labour markets.

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