Emerging development leaders in the Asia-Pacific paint it as a region of contrasts. Home to the enormous potential of more than 60 percent of the world’s youth population, the region also hosts two-thirds of the global poor.
For young development professionals, this situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity for change. Quality education and youth unemployment are among the most pressing themes that emerge: How to ensure the more than 750 million people under the age of 25 have enough skills and knowledge to contribute to the region’s social and economic development.
“As youths are the pillars of the nation and the backbones of [an] economy, youth engagement … can direct and pave the roadmap for solving different [development] problems,” Sushil Adhikari, a youth and disability rights activist from Nepal, told Devex.
About the author
Lean Alfred Santos@DevexLeanAS
Lean Alfred Santos is a former Devex development reporter focusing on the development community in Asia-Pacific, including major players such as the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. He previously covered Philippine and international business and economic news, sports and politics.
