5th PERC Youth Committee Statement on the International Youth Day 2019

On August 12th the whole world is celebrating the International Youth Day. On December the 17th 1999 the General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 54/120 adopted the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) to declare the 12th of August as the International Youth Day. Congratulating your friends on this day one must not forget about the problems the modern youth are facing.

The PERC Youth Committee considers that paying attention to the threats to the sustainable employment is of the utmost importance, because rapid development of the production methods, automation and digitalization constantly change the rules and the traditions of the labour market. Unfortunately we have to admit that not only do the technological advancements improve safety at workplace, but also the increase of risks associated with the employment of the young people in the nearest future. Qualification and education they receive now might become obsolete as soon as tomorrow.

We have to identify and start working on the solutions of the problems posed by the rapid development of the modern world. It is worth noting that resisting the progress and neglecting the associated risks is a strategy doomed to fail. We have to provide a timely response to any such changes. The only way to tackle the issues such as unemployment, mass labour migration and the social upheaval that comes with it is to establish a sustainable cooperation in the tripartite format.

Moreover, our global unity, solidarity and support more than once proved to be effective methods of fighting for the equality, justice, decent working conditions and decent wages.

PERC Youth Committee sincerely believes in the idea of joint work for the benefit of young people and supports their fight for the labour rights. We are always ready to support the like-minded youth in their aspiration to form a better future!

5th PERC Youth Committee