ILS - DOLE

Every year, hundreds of thousands of young Filipinos graduate from college. And every year, many of these graduates end up being jobless, underemployed and unemployed. As such, their march towards becoming fully-productive citizens of the country is delayed, if not denied.

In cognizance of the compelling need to address the problem of high unemployment among young Filipinos, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) have joined hands to consult and dialogue with the youth themselves to come-up with a blueprint for a decent and productive employment for young Filipinos.

DOLE, NYC to spearhead YOUTHink sessions

Dubbed as the “YOUTHink Sessions,” this joint consultative undertaking seeks to attract all youth advocates and champions all over the country to come in one big event to discuss and help shape a better employment policy environment for the Filipino youth. But more than just being another policy briefing event, the YOUThink Session is actually an avenue for all stakeholders – government officials, industry practitioners, social advocates and the youth themselves – to learn new insights, discuss innovative ideas, share good practices and create solid partnerships that would have an impact in reversing the trend and feeling of idleness and hopelessness among today’s Filipino youth.

As such, this YOUTHink Session will gather leaders, movers, shakers and thinkers – all of which are pioneers in the field of youth empowerment – according to their respective expertises. Accordingly, leaders are those who have already played a major role in empowering the youth. On the one hand, movers are pioneers from both the public and private sectors who have innovative ideas and solutions for youth, employment and migration. On the other hand, people who are known for challenging the status quo called shakers are in the session to provide new alternatives in addressing the same old problems of the past. Meanwhile, thinkers are those advocates who have action plans that would address the core issues of youth employment.

With that, the YOUTHink Session is expected to be fused with many colourful proposals, new suggestions and other thoughts that would change the way things used to be for the Filipino youth. And although these leaders, movers, shakers and thinkers will serve primarily as facilitators, speakers and motivators for the YOUTHink Session, in the end, the solution to the problem of youth unemployment lies in the hands of the young Filipinos themselves.

The YOUTHink Session Series will be launched this June 23, 2010 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City.