[afro-nets] World development report 2007: development and the next generation

["Mrs. Ana Lucia Ruggiero (WDC)" <claudio@hcmc.netnam.vn>]

World development report 2007: development and the next generation
------------------------------------------------------------------

Cross-posted from: EQUIDAD@LISTSERV.PAHO.ORG 

The theme of the World Development Report (WDR) 2007 is youth, aged 12 to 24.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/bs8zl

"..Developing countries which invest in better education, healthcare, and job training for their record numbers of young people between the ages of 12 and 24 years of age, could produce surging economic growth and sharply reduced poverty, according to a new World Bank report launched at the Bank's Annual Meetings in Singapore. September 16, 2006.

With 1.3 billion young people now living in the developing world-the largest-ever youth group in history-the report says there has never been a better time to invest in youth because they are healthier and better educated than previous generations, and they will join the workforce with fewer dependents because of changing demographics.

However, failure to seize this opportunity to train them more effectively for the workplace, and to be active citizens, could lead to widespread disillusionment and social tensions..."

"...It focuses on decisions concerning the five phases with the biggest long-term impact on how human capital is kept safe, developed, and deployed. For each phase (continuing to learn, starting to work, developing a healthful lifestyle, beginning a family, and exercising citizenship) governments must increase investments directly and cultivate an environment for young people and their families to invest in themselves. 

The WDR suggests that a youth lens on policies affecting the five phases would help focus on three broad directions: expanding opportunities, enhancing capabilities, and providing second chances. Each pathway (opportunities, capabilities, and second chances) is applied to each of the transitions, generating reform suggestions. To mobilize the economic and political resources to stimulate such reforms, countries must resolve three issues: better coordination and integration with national policy, stronger voice, and more evaluation. In addition, the WDR examines both youth migration, and their increasing use of new technologies."

Published September 16, 2006
In English, Arabic and Chinese

--
Mrs. Ana Lucia Ruggiero (WDC)