UNIAPAC, an Ecumenical Union bringing together over  45.000 associated members around the World, has made a pledge to the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, aimed at mobilizing business leaders to commit to providing more decent job opportunities for youth in Africa. UNIAPAC International and its 15 national associations in Africa will be committed over the next two years to raise awareness among business leaders on decent jobs for youth.

The commitment focuses on the organization of multiple seminars, sharing of best practices, and an international congress, during which the topic of decent jobs for youth will be a cornerstone. By targeting business leaders who directly hire employees, UNIAPAC’s commitment aims to generate an indirect impact on the creation of decent jobs for youth. The objective is to reach 2,000 business leaders in Africa and raise awareness on the topic of decent jobs for youth through 16 UNIAPAC business leaders associations. Advocacy tactics will focus on a variety of tools and initiatives, such as local events, training programmes for business leaders, and a series of knowledge sharing efforts.

The Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Decent Jobs for Youth was launched in 2016 as a UN system-wide effort, focusing on the youth employment challenge that is central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It has now become a global, multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together governments, social partners, the private sector, youth and civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders in an effort to scale up action and impact on youth employment. They work together to share knowledge, leverage resources and take action at country and regional level, with current commitments aimed at supporting more than 18 million young people in accessing decent work and productive employment worldwide.

The commitment by UNIAPAC aims to boost action around youth in fragile situations, youth’s transitions to the formal economy, and youth in the rural economy.

For more information about the commitment, please contact:

• Mr Rodrigo Whitelaw, Secretary General , UNIAPAC International I rodrigo.whitelaw@fondsuniapac.org


• Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth I decentjobsforyouth@ilo.org