Youth Employment in the Knowledge Economy Era Roundtable: Challenges and Opportunities for Latin America and the Caribbean

By 2020, the region will have the largest number of youth in its history. Despite some progress, one in five young people cannot find jobs in their own countries, with youth unemployment standing at more than 18 percent. Considering unprecedented unemployment rates for this demographic and economic stagnation as factors impacting recent social unrest throughout the region, the need to invest in our youth has never been greater.

AS/COA held a roundtable as part of its Tech Series discussion focused on reforming education, skills training, and work readiness models to match the needs of the knowledge economy and fuel growth for future generations.

Participants:

• Dr. Grace McLean, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information, Jamaica
• Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian, Director of the Department of Social Inclusion at the Organization of American States (OAS)
• Luciano Macagno, Managing Director – Latin America and Caribbean, Delta Air Lines, and JA Americas Board Chair
• Monica Flores, Regional Managing Director, Latin America, ManpowerGroup
• Basil Khalil, Vice President of Operations, Caribbean, Central America and GSPs, FedEx Express
• Leonardo Martellotto, President, JA Americas (moderator)
• Maria Lourdes Gallo, Vice President, AS/COA Miami (chair)