Youth_Unemployment

The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) has established a Youth Unemployment initiative focused on sharing global knowledge on youth entrepreneurship, supporting the development of youth entrepreneurship world-wide, and seeking solutions
to youth unemployment - a ubiquitous problem worldwide.

Youth Unemployment Presentation at the SEBC Euro-Arab Conference to Support Small and Medium SMEs
20 – 22 February, 2010
Damascus, Syria

By: Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy, Executive Director for ICSB and Dr. G. Dale Meyer, Emeritus Distinguished Professor at University of Colorado, Boulder

Today I want to speak of two issues that are intimately related but are not often seen that way. These are youth unemployment and entrepreneurial innovation.

At the beginning of the 21st century there were more than one billion young people between the ages of 15 and 24, just under 20 percent of the world population but more than 40 percent of the unemployed. At least 85 percent of these young unemployed people lived in developing countries.

A recent UN World Youth Report pointed out that the solution to youth unemployment is typically seen as centered on education and social integration. But this strategy may simply result in increased numbers of qualified and willing potential employees who have no jobs. A more direct approach is to promote economic growth and consequent new job creation. Entrepreneurship activity is clearly one the most important factors of macroeconomic and job growth worldwide.

Click here to read the full presentation

Youth Unemployment in the News

For more information on the ICSB Youth Unemployment Initiative and to get involved, please contact;

International Resources for Young Entrepreneurs

Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs - International
The Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs (ACE) is an international organization that enables students to operate small business ventures and interact with other aspiring entrepreneurs. ACE has chapters throughout the nation.

Business Link - UK
It's likely you've heard of Business Link without knowing exactly what it does or how it helps young entrepreneurs like you. Managed by the Small Business Service - a government agency created to champion the cause of small businesses - this national network of agencies offers advice, information and resources to help you on your way to success.

For many of today's successful entrepreneurs it was their first port of call and, though you will be excepted to contribute something to the cost of the service your receive, you'll get access to expert knowledge on all kinds of issues from e-commerce to exporting.

Future Business Leaders of America - US
Future Business Leaders of America—Phi Beta Lambda is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) educational association of students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. The association has four divisions: FBLA for high school students; FBLA Middle Level for junior high, middle and intermediate school students; PBL for post-secondary students; and the Professional Alumni Division for business people, educators and parents who support the goals of the association.

Gen-X Idea Café - US
On this site, Idea Café caters to the business needs of Generation-X entrepreneurs with information, advice and fun to feed your mind and your business. The site welcomes biz fans of every age and includes stories of Gen-X business successes.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)- US
The IRS has an online workshop for young people to help them understand the why and how of meeting their tax obligations. Click here to learn about other free IRS educational products.

Kauffman Entrepreneur Internship Program (KEIP) - US
Thousands of undergraduate and graduate students learn about entrepreneurship by becoming immersed in the day-to-day reality of starting and running a business through the Kauffman Entrepreneur Internship Program. The Kauffman Center, which established the program in 1996, offers two KEIPs—for-profit and not-for-profit. Colleges, universities and entrepreneurship organizations nationwide participate in this program by applying through an RFP process for a grant to administer the program. KEIP interns work side-by-side with successful entrepreneurs, learning from them and oftentimes contributing ideas to solve problems, increase productivity or save money.

Launchpad - UK
London-based enterprise group offering free support and counseling to young people. Launchpad aims to help young people discover and develop their enterprising talents and holds free workshops and eventsin addition toits free one-to-one counseling services. Anyone aged 14-30 is welcome, whether they've already got a business idea or not.

LegalZoom.com- US
Read LegalZoom's article on "Top 10 Small Business Owners under 16."

The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) - US
The NCIIA is an alliance of faculty and students working to advance the teaching of invention and innovation in American higher education. Its mission is to nurture a new generation of innovators by promoting curricula designed to teach creativity, invention and entrepreneurship. The NCIIA offers financial support and networking opportunities. It also offers information and advice on entrepreneurial efforts, curriculum development, intellectual property and technology resources.

National Coalition for Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs (NCEYE)- US
The NCEYE is a network of youth, adults, community organizations, and business, education, and government agencies committed to advancing youth entrepreneurship. The Coalition promotes the development of entrepreneurial programs that empower youth to become effective leaders and business owners. The organization offers micro-enterprise development assistance, conferences, youth entrepreneur awards, technical assistance and more.

National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE)- UK
The National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) was formed in 2004 with the aim of raising the profile of entrepreneurship and the option of starting your own business as a career choice amongst students and graduates.

By understanding the circumstances in which graduate entrepreneurship can flourish, NCGE's goal is to influence, and inspire, an increase in the number of students and graduates who give serious thought to self-employment or business start-up. The Council, which is based in Birmingham in the United Kingdom is not only focused on graduates starting businesses, but understanding, developing and promoting a culture of entrepreneurship within Higher Education through research, education and facilitation. NCGE aims to become the national focal point for graduate entrepreneurship and collaborates with bodies across the UK.

National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)- US
NFTE's missionis to teach entrepreneurship to low-income young people, ages 11-18, so they can become economically productive members of society by improving their academic, business, technology and life skills.

The Prince's Trust- UK
At 21 years old, The Prince's Trust scheme has come of age itself. It provides financial assistance and business support throughout the UK (with the exception of Scotland which has its own scheme) and focuses on young people who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)- International
Through a collaborative effort between business and education, SIFE Teams improve the quality of life and the standard of living around the world by teaching the principles of market economics, entrepreneurship, business ethics and personal financial success. The program is active on more than 1,000 college and university campuses in more than 25 countries.

Shell LiveWIRE - International
Financed in each country by the local Shell company and local business partners, Shell LiveWIRE International works to promote the spirit of enterprise in young people. Working through local enterprise development organizations and partnerships with schools, universities, governments, other corporations and community programs, LiveWIRE delivers practical support to those people as they develop the skills needed to plan, launch and manage new business enterprises.

Shell LiveWIRE - UK
Since 1982 Shell LiveWIRE has helped encourage enterprise amongst those aged between 16-30 by offering year round help and advice. The range of business publications and training packs covers all the topics budding entrepreneurs need to know, from managing people to marketing and HR.

United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)- US
USHCC has a Youth Entrepreneurship Program thatoffers students an opportunity to "shadow" entrepreneurs. The goals of the program are to increase self-esteem, help youth develop future-based decisions, provide economic literacy and acquire workforce readiness.

YoungBiz.com - US
The mission of YoungBiz is to empower youth with entrepreneurial, business and financial skills through innovative education and real-world experience. The organizationexists to help youth take their decision-making skills and use them to make great financial and business decisions. Geared toward teenagers.

Young Enterprise - UK
Founded in 1963, Young Enterprise runs a range of business education programs for over 150,000 youngsters every year. Participants get first-hand experience in running a company through Young Enterprise’s partnership with over 2,000 businesses across the UK. The organization aims to improve entrepreneurial skills at an early age, giving young people a valuable introduction to the business world.

Youth Unemployment new

Youth Unemployment in the News

International Resources for Young Entrepreneurs