July 15 is World Youth Skills Day

See the post below from my former UNESCO colleague, Dr. Borhene Chakroun.

Skills Can’t Wait!

More than 70 million youth are unemployed, and millions more are underemployed or stuck in informal, unstable work. At the same time, the world of work is changing rapidly — driven by green and technological transformation, demographic shifts, and the rise of artificial intelligence.

In this evolving landscape, the need for skills development and lifelong learning opportunities for all has never been more critical. Young people must be equipped not only with job-specific and digital capabilities, but also with the green, entrepreneurial, critical and citizenship skills needed to thrive in a future that demands adaptability, creativity, and resilience.

But youth are not just beneficiaries of this transition — they are its agents of change. They are innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders, climate activists, creators, and problem-solvers. Investing in their potential means investing in a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable future for all.

Join us to celebrate the energy, talent, and determination of young people everywhere — and commit to building education and skills systems that truly empower them to shape the future of work, economy and society. Join on-line our celebration of the World Youth Skills Day on 15th July : https://lnkd.in/eamMhmNk

We are launching our Global Skills Tracker to offer up-to-minute information on demands for skills: https://lnkd.in/exFDcw_w

Hervé Huot-Marchand Friedrich Huebler François Taddei Stefania Giannini

hashtag#unescounevoc hashtag#SDG4 hashtag#unescoActivate to view larger image,

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New Job Opportunity with UNESCO in Afghanistan

UNESCO Office in Afghanistan is recruiting a Programme Specialist (Skills Development and Literacy Education). The deadline for the application is 9 June 2025.
https://lnkd.in/dBbf_YA7

I had a quick scan of this opportunity, and it looks both interesting and challenging. I believe the requirement that candidates need a PhD maybe raising the bar too high but that is just my opinion.

In 2007, when the situation in Afghanistan was relatively calm, I had an assignment with the International Labour Organization to start development of a National Employment Policy. It was an intense but worthwhile experience, and many of the international consultants and advisors who were there at the same time would probably say the same thing. With Afghan colleagues we made a difference in health, education, infrastructure development and in other areas. (You can read more about my Afghan experience in my book available from this website.)

Times have changed, but this is your chance to help the young women of Afghanistan.

Below are a couple of pictures from my time in Afghanistan. I wonder if the co-op shown in picture 1 is still operating.

Sign for Afghan Women Companies displaying services such as solar lanterns, mobile repairs, and gem cutting, supported by the Italian Cooperation.
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Two young boys sitting on a cart pulled by a donkey on a dusty street in Afghanistan, with buildings and vehicles in the background.
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