Since the beginning of the humanity, older generations have thought that the youth are less competent even though they live in a better situation than them. Researchers have shown that this phenomenon could be due to the fact that older generations forget that the skills they currently hold have been added over the time and are not inherent to their personal features.
Coming from the country with the highest unemployment rate within the UE, I feel extremely disappointed with the way developing countries are dealing with the difficulties of the youth. We are underpaid, with no job stability nor future perspective. And yet, we are more skilled than the precedent generations. According to a survey carried out by the INE (the Spanish National Institute of Statistics), in 2019, people from 25 to 29 years old have lost 6,7% of their salary within 9 years. Moreover, given that nowadays we are witnessing a process of population ageing, all OECD countries spend more, per capita, on the elderly than on children and youth.
Coming from the country with the highest unemployment rate within the UE, I feel extremely disappointed with the way developing countries are dealing with the difficulties of the youth. We are underpaid, with no job stability nor future perspective. And yet, we are more skilled than the precedent generations. According to a survey carried out by the INE (the Spanish National Institute of Statistics), in 2019, people from 25 to 29 years old have lost 6,7% of their salary within 9 years. Moreover, given that nowadays we are witnessing a process of population ageing, all OECD countries spend more, per capita, on the elderly than on children and youth.
The structural problems faced by my generation are primarily a matter of political willingness. We can observe that solutions to tackle youth revindications have emerged all over the globe. From different angles, the voice of the future seems to have been heard. In Spain, a youth employment guarantee has been developed in order to help companies to hire young workers. In France, a check of 300 euros to cover culture related expenses have been offered to the 18 years old citizens. In addition, the European recovery plan, boosted by Next Generation EU, has the youth demands at its heart, with an increase in funding of the Erasmus+ programs now amount to almost double the previous program. Nevertheless, these actions are not enough, and the political response must be rethought in order to allow young citizens to evolve personally and professionally in a safe environment.
I do believe that even though the youth is been mistreated in economic and social terms, we still are the keystone of our communities. In fact, young people retain the skills that marches better the digital revolution and the globalization that today´s world is experiencing. Moreover, the youth is more aware of the challenges that are being faced but also, they are more engaged to overcome them. Among their main concerns, we can find environmental issues, education funding and quality along with gender equality. According to a research conducted by the European Union, the African Union and UNICEF, 65% of respondents affirmed being active in a local youth organization.
I do believe that even though the youth is been mistreated in economic and social terms, we still are the keystone of our communities. In fact, young people retain the skills that marches better the digital revolution and the globalization that today´s world is experiencing. Moreover, the youth is more aware of the challenges that are being faced but also, they are more engaged to overcome them. Among their main concerns, we can find environmental issues, education funding and quality along with gender equality. According to a research conducted by the European Union, the African Union and UNICEF, 65% of respondents affirmed being active in a local youth organization.
Although we may not take part in the “traditional” political decisional process on account of the fact that the youth regularly break abstention records, we are trying to look for alternative ways to ensure that our demands are being heard. Local organizations, the internet, international networking programs among others are the main platforms to share the youth revindications.
Finally, I would like to remind all our readers that the youth is more than ready to face all the challenges that the previous generation has given us as inheritance. The perseverance, resilience, and open-mindedness characterizing today´s youth will allow us to become the change-makers the world is asking for.
Finally, I would like to remind all our readers that the youth is more than ready to face all the challenges that the previous generation has given us as inheritance. The perseverance, resilience, and open-mindedness characterizing today´s youth will allow us to become the change-makers the world is asking for.
ANA ROJO SÁNCHEZ
Ana Rojo is a Spanish volunteer in Praxis organisation involved in the Youth Day.
