From climate hazards and COVID-19 to protests for racial justice and the rise of identity politics – the past year has left a mark on the young generation.
The effects of the pandemic particularly affect young people, they exacerbate existing inequalities and could reduce the productive potential of an entire generation, the International Labour Organisation has warned.
At the same time, younger generations are pleading for the recovery plans to be in line with climate commitments, seeking to make sure that no-one is left behind and the voice of youth is heard.
Although seven in 10 young people said they feel uncertain about their future, with 40% saying the future feels more uncertain than a year ago, according to a recent poll, 76% of young respondents feel positive about their future and 91% want to make the most of what comes next for them beyond 2020.
This event report looks into the key issues that will shape the future of the next generations in a post-pandemic world.
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Sinkevicius: ‘There can be no return to business as usual’ after the pandemic
There can be no return to business as usual after the pandemic and no amount of economic pressure should force us to compromise on people’s health and the health of our planet, Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius said in an interview.
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EU40 president: Basic digital skills have to become mainstream across Europe
As digital skills have become essential in the labour market, especially for young people, there is an increased urgency to tackle the inequalities of the digital divide caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers have said.
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Beyond 2020: Global Youth – Voices & Futures
TODAY’S YOUTH HAVE BEEN DEEPLY IMPACTED BY 2020 BUT REMAIN RESILIENT, POSITIVE AND COMMITTED TO WORKING TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE As the world continues on its path of unparalleled social, political and financial uncertainty, we wonder, what will the future offer …