Rise in unemployed youths raises concern

 THE Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment says those between the ages of 15 and 24 account for more than 50% of unemployment globally.

“This is a growing concern in most of the Commonwealth countries as it impedes socio-economic development,” Commonwealth Foundation director Vijay Krishnarayan said.

He said one of the best ways to address it was to create and maintain national youth councils and involve them in promoting sports programmes.

“We must also economically empower them by providing start-up funds or credit facilities for youth businesses,” he said.

Commonwealth secretary-general Kamalesh Sharma said they were concentrating on professionalising youths which means increasing the number of degree holders and developing entrepreneurs.

“Developing young people through sports is a very important theme in our work,” he said.

“Sports is not just about fun and games – it gives social cohesion and development of mental and physical abilities. 

“It is not taken seriously in PNG because your communities are quite dispersed and the challenges posed are quite unique.”

He suggested that for a country with a unique population density, sporting programmes must be carried out in a more organised manner to be successful.