Generation Unlimited

Kevin Frey, Generation Unlimited CEO, met with Jozef Síkela, EU Commissioner, to discuss how partnerships with the private sector can help equip young people with the skills they need, create meaningful opportunities, and support their journey from learning to earning, ensuring they are #WorkLifeReady.

With the support and expertise of Mohamed Kande, Global Chairman at PwC and Co-Chair of the Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council (GLC), last week at the GLC panel, leaders from government, business, multilateral organisations and youth representatives from different sectors came together to discuss how shared commitments can be turned into action. They explored ways to equip young people with market-relevant skills for employment, create meaningful opportunities, and build sustainable livelihoods, empowering youth to become #WorkLifeReady. Together, we will continue advancing initiatives that provide youth with the skills, experiences and opportunities to thrive.

"This is our call today: to break down silos, to pool our strengths, to scale our impact, and to act with the urgency this moment demands. Because over one billion futures are on the line." – Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director and Co-Chair of the Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council. Addressing leaders from governments, businesses, foundations, civil society, and youth, ED Russell called for a global effort, bold partnerships and new models of financing to unlock #WorkLifeReady skills and opportunities for young people. By prioritizing a large-scale effort over incremental progress, we turn a generation at risk to a Generation of Opportunity.

“It’s a critical time: the largest generation of young people in history is seeking pathways to decent work and entrepreneurship.” – Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), Canada 🇨🇦 At the Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council, he called for bold, cross-sector action to tackle youth unemployment and skills gaps. Governments, businesses, and young people must collaborate to create scalable #WorkLifeReady solutions for a more inclusive, prosperous future. The Government of Canada is a Lead Government Partner of Generation Unlimited, championing the economic empowerment of young people, especially girls and young women. © UNICEF Generation Unlimited/Gruber

“Unique, intentional, and deliberate.” That’s how Hon. Lesego Chombo, Botswana’s Minister of Youth and Gender, described the kind of public-private collaboration every government should pursue to equip young people with 21st-century skills and opportunities.    At the Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council panel, leaders including Vice President of Nigeria H.E. Kashim Shettima, Chairman Access Holdings Plc Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Former Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo emphasized the urgent need to: Foster Public-Private-Youth collaboration to co-design skills development systems and better integration of the informal sector, with government infrastructure, capital and market insights from the private sector, and young people contributing creativity and leadership. Together through public-private-youth partnerships, we can scale skills and create inclusive #WorkLifeReady pathways into employment and entrepreneurship - especially in high-growth sectors. #UNGA

“A job alone is not economic justice – it’s what you can do with the wage from that job.” A grounding statement from activist and attorney-at-law Christina Williams to the Generation Unlimited Leadership Council.    Joined by Prime Minister of Grenada Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Capgemini CEO Aiman Ezzat and Qatar Fund for Development Director-General Fahad Al-Sulaiti, the panel moderated by CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo explored key #WorkLifeReady themes: the promise and risks of Generative AI in expanding job access, investment in emerging entrepreneurs; inclusion and mental health as a workplace norm. Let’s keep pushing for systems where young people hold positions of power to influence and shape their own futures. #UNGA

1 billion futures. 1 billion opportunities. 🌍    “We sustain the world by creating opportunities for young people... We know better, it is now time for us to do better.” – Barbados Prime Minister H.E. Mia Amor Mottley in her keynote address to the Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council hosted by the State of Qatar today.    To unlock over a billion #WorkLifeReady futures, Generation Unlimited is mobilizing leaders from governments, businesses, young innovators and civil society to co-create scalable solutions, embed youth-centric strategies into national plans and transform opportunities where they matter most.       With partners worldwide, the ambition is to prepare young people to take charge of their future, take care of themselves and their families, and protect this planet.  #UNGA

 🇶🇦🌐 Preparing youth for a #WorkLifeReady future This #UNGA week, reaffirming its long-term dedication to empowering young people, the State of Qatar's international development agency the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed a contribution agreement to expand Generation Unlimited’s efforts in advancing youth employment and entrepreneurship, with the aim of reaching more than 2.4 million young people worldwide. No young person should be held back from learning or earning because of who they are or where they come from. Together with partners like QFFD, GenU is building a future where every young person is equipped, empowered, and ready to thrive in a digital and green economy. With youth leading the way, we’re working toward an inclusive future for generations to come. The signing ceremony was witnessed by H.E. Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of QFFD and signed by Mr. Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of QFFD and Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF.