The ILO, FAO, UNODA, UNDP, UNIDO and UNCTAD, along with UNMGCY, are co-organising the plenary session on ‘Ensuring Decent Work and Economic Opportunities for Youth’ during the 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum.
This session seeks to explore transformative actions to tackle the youth employment challenge and promote decent work for youth. It aims to highlight youth-led initiatives and partnerships that create more and better jobs for young people in different contexts — with a strong focus on disadvantaged and vulnerable groups — and discuss strategies to build youth-inclusive labour markets for a more sustainable future.
Ahead of the event, we’re launching this virtual discussion on the YouthForesight Community Forum to gather inputs directly from young people. Your ideas and experiences will help shape the conversations in New York!
🧭 We want to hear from YOU!
Please take a moment to respond to one, two, or all three of the questions below — and don’t miss the bonus question at the end!
Use the examples as inspiration, and feel free to comment on others’ posts too.
🚧 Segment 1: Supporting Young People’s Transition into Decent Work
Based on your experience, name one challenge that young people face when trying to access decent work opportunities. Then share one solution you believe would help address this challenge.
Example:
Challenge → Many job postings require 2–3 years of experience, which most young people don't have right after graduation.
Solution → Create more entry-level roles and internships designed specifically for recent graduates with structured learning paths.
💼 Segment 2: Human Capital and Skills Development for Youth
Name the profession or sector you're working in — or want to work in — and the top 3 skills needed to succeed there.
Example:
Sector → Renewable Energy
Top Skills → Problem-solving, Data analysis, Teamwork
🤝 Segment 3: Impactful Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
If youth-led and non-youth-led organizations join forces to help young people get good jobs, what should they focus on first?
(👉 Put the following in your priority list — from 1 (most important) to 7 (least important)
Access to funding and resources
Skills training and upskilling
Mentorship and coaching
Creating job opportunities
Policy advocacy and youth voice
Access to networks and job platforms
Inclusion (gender, disability, rural youth, etc.)
🌟 Bonus Question: Seen it work?
🔍 Share an example of a youth + non-youth partnership that made a real difference in helping young people access decent work.
Whether local or global, big or small — your example can inspire others!
Your contributions will help ensure that youth perspectives are front and center in this global dialogue on decent work.
Thanks for being part of the YouthForesight Community — and we look forward to your insights!