Since 1999, International Youth Day has been celebrated every August 12, a date established by the United Nations. This instance aims to involve all generations to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leave no one behind.
Young people are an essential part of the processes of change and it is convenient to raise awareness about the challenges they face today. For their raison d’être, cooperatives can play a crucial role in solving youth problems while continuing to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, such as quality education and decent work. In relation to the latter, cooperatives generate sustainable jobs over time, which makes us an effective tool for employability and labor insertion.
According to the UN, today young people between 15 and 24 years old represent 16% of the world’s population, about 1.2 billion, and it is expected that by 2030 this figure will increase by 7%, to 1.3 billion. In this context, it is important that this group participates more strongly in economic activity, through cooperativism and collaborative work that both identifies with their needs and what they demand today, such as being part of companies with purpose.
Therefore, we believe it is essential that the new generations contribute with their innovative ideas to our cooperatives and that they integrate into the different activities of our society. The cooperative model aims to achieve common goals and objectives, which is perfectly complemented by the desires of the young population, which is full of enthusiasm, idealism and energy to continue making this a better world.
We have to give the necessary spaces for young people to have a greater role and contribute even more to solving the current challenges.
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The content expressed in this opinion column is the sole responsibility of its author, and does not necessarily reflect the editorial line or position of El Mostrador.
