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Editorial Articles


Issue no 15, 13 - 19 July 2024

Fostering Peace and Development through Youth Skills

Sujeet Yadav

July 15th is commemorated as World Youth Skills Day (WYSD), celebrating the critical role of skills development in empowering young people for employ-ment, entrepreneurship, and, notably, peacebuilding. This year's theme, "Youth Skills for Peace and Development", underscores the imperative of equipping youth with the necessary tools to contribute actively to global peace and sustainable development.

Historical and Contemporary Context

The backdrop against which WYSD 2024 unfolds is crucially important. Global challenges such as violent conflicts, economic inequalities, and the divisive nature of online discourse not only affect young people disproportionately but also threaten societal stability at large.

Post-Cold War Era: The end of the Cold War marked a shift in global power dynamics, leading to new conflicts and the emergence of regional powers. The dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Balkan wars, and the Rwandan genocide are examples of the turbulence that followed.

21st Century Conflicts: The early years of 21st century saw significant upheavals with the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. These conflicts reshaped global alliances and introduced new dimensions of terrorism and counterterrorism.

Arab Spring: The 2010 decade witnessed a wave of uprisings across the Arab world, leading to civil wars, regime changes, and instability in countries like Syria, Libya, and Yemen.

Economic Crises: The 2008 global financial crisis highlighted vulnerabilities in the global economic system, leading to widespread unemployment and economic hardship, particularly among the youth.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: The ongoing war in Ukraine has reignited Cold War-era tensions between Russia and Western nations, causing economic sanctions, energy crises, and humanitarian disasters.

Rise of Authoritarianism: In many parts of the world, there is a resurgence of authoritarian regimes, threatening democratic institutions and human rights.

Technological and Cyber Warfare: The rise of cyber-attacks and information warfare has introduced new forms of conflict that transcend traditional borders.

Climate Change: Environmental degradation and climate change are causing resource scarcity, leading to conflicts over water, arable land, and migration.

Impact on Youth

Disproportionate Effects: Young people are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of these global challenges. Conflicts disrupt education, create refugee crises, and limit economic opportunities.

Economic Inequalities:  The youth unemployment rate is significantly higher than that of adults, and economic downturns exacerbate this disparity. Inequality in access to resources, education, and employment opportunities stifles the potential of young people.

Divisive Online Discourse: The digital age has brought about unprecedented connectivity but also divisive online discourse. Social media can perpetuate hate speech, misinformation, and polarisation, affecting the mental health and social cohesion of young people.

The Imperative of Skills Development for Peace and Global Citizenship

At the heart of WYSD 2024 is a call to integrate skills development with values of global citizenship and peacebuilding. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems are poised not only to impart technical proficiency but also to nurture socially responsible individuals capable of addressing complex global issues. This holistic approach aims to equip young people with the competencies needed to engage constructively in conflict resolution, promote tolerance, and champion Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Gender Equality and Inclusive Development: A critical aspect of this year's theme revolves around gender disparity within TVET systems. Countries are undertaking efforts to reform these systems to enhance the participation of women and girls, particularly in emerging sectors like green jobs. By ensuring equitable access to skills development opportunities, WYSD 2024 seeks to empower young women as drivers of local development and contributors to broader societal resilience.

Partnership and Collaboration: Collaboration emerges as a cornerstone for effective youth skills development. WYSD 2024 advocates for robust partnerships involving youth, policy-makers, educational institutions, and the private sector. Such collaborations are essential for designing inclusive curricula, aligning skills training with market demands, and fostering environments conducive to innovation and sustainable growth.

Shaping the Future of Work: Countries are exploring actionable strategies to bridge skills gaps, integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and empower youth as catalysts for positive change. Insights from youth surveys and practical examples of successful collaborations will inform discussions on best practices for preparing youth for the evolving demands of the global workforce.

'Skill India' for Peace and Sustainable Development

The Skill India Mission stands as a beacon of transformative ambition aimed at harnessing the immense potential of India's youth population. The mission was launched on July 15, 2015, by the Government of India, undertaking a comprehensive approach to skill development, aiming to equip millions of young Indians with vocational skills. Central to its success is its emphasis on inclusivity, reaching marginalised communities and rural areas, thereby reducing regional disparities. Skill India not only focuses on traditional vocational training but also integrates emerging sectors such as information technology, renewable energy, and healthcare, aligning skill development with the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy. By fostering public-private partnerships, Skill India ensures industry relevance and job placement for skilled youth, thereby enhancing employability and entrepreneurship opportunities. Through initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), the mission promotes lifelong learning, innovation, and the cultivation of a skilled workforce capable of driving India's socio-economic growth and global competitiveness.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re-skill, and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill development centres, colleges, and institutes. This training is provided under various schemes, including:

·         Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): PMKVY Scheme is for imparting skill development training through Short-Term Training (STT) and Up-skilling and Re-skilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to youth across the country, including rural areas.

·         Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme: The main target of the JSS is to impart vocational skills to non-literates, neo-literates, and persons with rudimentary education and school dropouts up to 12th standard in the age group of 15-45 years. Priority is given to women, SC, ST, OBC, and minorities in rural and urban low-income groups.

·         National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): This Scheme promotes apprenticeship training and increases the engagement of apprentices by providing financial support to industrial establishments. Training consists of Basic Training and On-the-Job Training/Practical Training at workplaces in the industry.

·         Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS): This scheme provides long-term training through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country, offering a range of vocational/skill training courses covering numerous economic sectors.

Skills Fostering Peace

Skills specific to peacebuilding encompass a diverse range of competencies essential for fostering dialogue, resolving conflicts, and building resilient communities. At the core of these skills lies conflict resolution, which involves the ability to mediate disputes, negotiate effectively, and facilitate consensus among conflicting parties. Communication skills are crucial, encompassing active listening, empathetic understanding, and the capacity to convey ideas clearly and diplomatically across cultural and linguistic divides. Cross-cultural understanding enables peacebuilders to navigate diverse perspectives sensitively, respecting differences while fostering unity and collaboration.

Moreover, leadership in peacebuilding requires the ability to inspire trust, motivate others towards shared goals, and mobilise communities for collective action. Critical thinking and problem-solving are vital for analysing complex situations, identifying root causes of conflicts, and developing innovative strategies for sustainable peace. Emotional intelligence plays a significant role, allowing peacebuilders to manage their own emotions, empathise with others, and defuse tensions effectively.

Adaptability and resilience are essential in navigating unpredictable and challenging environments, while conflict transformation skills emphasise the transformation of underlying structural issues that perpetuate conflicts, rather than just addressing their symptoms. Finally, advocacy and negotiation skills are instrumental in advocating for peace, promoting human rights, and engaging with stakeholders at various levels to achieve lasting peace and stability.

Peacebuilding skills are multi-dimensional, requiring a blend of interpersonal, analytical, and contextual competencies to address the complexities of conflict and contribute to sustainable peace and development globally.

Skills for Sustainable Development

Achieving sustainable development requires a diverse set of skills that span technical expertise, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Here are the essential skills:

Understanding the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental systems is crucial for devising holistic solutions that balance development with sustainability goals. Similarly, effective problem-solving involves identifying challenges, analysing root causes, and developing practical solutions that minimise negative impacts on the environment and society. Encouraging new ideas and approaches that promote sustainable practices, technologies, and business models is essential for driving progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building partnerships across sectors and stakeholders, including government, business, academia, and civil society, fosters collective action and enhances the impact of sustainable development initiatives. Additionally, adapting to changing environmental conditions, economic shifts, and social dynamics is crucial for maintaining progress towards sustainable development amid uncertainties.

Understanding policy frameworks, advocating for sustainable policies, and promoting good governance practices are essential for creating an enabling environment for sustainable development. Moreover, having a deep understanding of environmental issues, social inequa-lities, and human rights ensures that development efforts are inclusive, equitable, and environmentally responsible.

In the modern context, using data to assess progress, measure impacts, and make informed decisions helps optimise resource allocation and prioritise actions towards sustainable development. This combined with effective communication skills are essential for raising awareness, mobilising support, and advocating for sustainable development principles and practices among diverse audiences. Upholding ethical standards, promoting transparency, and taking responsibility for the social and environmental impacts of decisions and actions are fundamental to sustainable development efforts.

By cultivating these skills among individuals and organisations, we can foster a collective effort towards achieving sustainable development goals, ensuring a prosperous and resilient future for all.

Bridging the Global Skills Gap for Leveraging Youth's Potential

Bridging the global skills gap is imperative for achieving equitable development and fostering peace on a global scale. This gap refers to the disparity between the skills demanded by the evolving job market and those possessed by the workforce. Addressing this gap is crucial for several reasons:

Enhanced Employability and Economic Growth: Closing the skills gap ensures that individuals possess the necessary competencies to secure meaningful employment and contribute effectively to economic growth. This not only reduces unemployment but also boosts productivity and innovation within economies, leading to overall prosperity.

Reduced Social Inequality: Access to quality education and skills development opportunities empowers marginalised populations, including women, youth, and rural communities. By equipping them with relevant skills, barriers to economic and social mobility are lowered, thereby reducing inequalities and promoting social cohesion.

Promotion of Sustainable Development: Skills aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as environmental conservation, renewable energy, and inclusive growth, contribute to long-term sustainability. Bridging the skills gap ensures that future generations are equipped to address global challenges like climate change, poverty, and social injustice effectively.

Conflict Prevention and Peace-building: A skilled workforce capable of meaningful employment reduces economic disparities that often fuel social unrest and conflict. By promoting inclusive economic opportunities through skills development, communities become more resilient and capable of sustaining peaceful coexistence.

The bridge the global skills gap, governments and stakeholders must prioritise investments in education systems, vocational training, and lifelong learning programmes. This includes updating curricula to align with industry needs and fostering partnerships between educational institutions and industries. In an increasingly digital world, fostering digital literacy and technological skills is essential. Access to digital platforms for learning and collaboration expands opportunities for skill acquisition, particularly in remote or underserved areas. Likewise, tailoring skills development initiatives to include marginalised groups, such as women and minorities, ensures equitable access to opportunities. Removing barriers to participation and addressing gender disparities in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) enhances workforce diversity and social equity.

Collaboration between governments, businesses, academia, and civil society is vital for designing and implementing effective skills development strategies. PPPs facilitate the creation of apprenticeships, internship programmes, and on-the-job training opportunities that bridge the gap between education and employment. Given the rapid pace of technological advancement and evolving job market demands, fostering a culture of continuous learning is essential. Providing opportunities for upskilling and reskilling ensures that individuals remain competitive and adaptable throughout their careers.

Bridging the global skills gap is not only a matter of economic necessity but also a pathway to achieving sustainable development and promoting peace. By equipping individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the modern economy and fostering inclusive growth, societies can mitigate inequalities, empower communities, and build a more peaceful, stable, and sustainable future for all.

(The author is correspondent of an international multi-media platform. Feedback on this article can be sent to feedback.employmentnews@gmail.com)

Views expressed are personal.