2020 has been a whirlwind of a year for young students and professionals around the world. The global community is reimagining the future and reconsidering the way things have been done in the past.

That’s why the ITCILO and the ILO are hosting the Online Global Youth Forum. From 10 to 28 August, young leaders will share their ideas about the future of youth employment.

In the run-up to the event, we spoke with five international development professionals to find out more about the state of youth employment today, as well as its future.

They explain, in different ways, how young people are changing the world—a fact that has become evident as COVID-19 upends lives and livelihoods—and why they must be a key feature of any pandemic response. Despite the disruptions to their lives, young people remain resilient and ready to change the world.

“Young people are creative and add new ways of doing business, as well as new ways of coping with the effects of the pandemic.” - Carlo Delù, Technical SME Development Officer at the ILO 

At the Online Global Youth Forum, participants will share their ideas about youth-centered COVID-19 coping mechanisms. They will collaborate with global leaders and policy makers on concrete solutions that work for all.

“I think for young people it might be easier to imagine how future societies will be and what their needs will be.” - Claudio Cerabino, Junior Policy Analyst at the OECD

Young people are already influencing the international agenda and contributing to the SDGs. The Forum will be a place to expand existing partnerships between stakeholders and create new ones.

“Always keep the ultimate dream of your perfect career at the forefront of your mind.” - Georg Peitchev, HR Specialist at UNDP

Participants that join this event will expand not only their networks, but also their ideas about the future. If you aim to work in the development field and want to identify how you can become a part of the solution, this event will inspire you.

“We must make sure that young people who work can adjust and develop their skill sets.” - Reintje van Haeringen, CEO at CARE Nederland 

This event connects the future that the youth want to build with the concrete skills they need to contribute to the SDGs. Participants will choose from elective sessions about employment promotion for youth in the post-COVID world.

“To recover lost jobs, investment in youth employment is key.” - Susana Puerto, Senior Youth Employment Specialist at the ILO

At the end of the event, young people will speak about how and why they decided to work in the field of international development. They will also share information about their upcoming projects.