Generation Unlimited, launched in 2018, is a partnership hosted by UNICEF to connect secondary-age education and training to employment and entrepreneurship. Partners from government, multilateral organizations, civil society, the private sector and young people from around the world are brought together to work on Generation Unlimited’s ambitious goals.
SAP and UNICEF have announced its global collaboration, as part of Generation Unlimited, to provide quality education, life skills, and job skills training to young people in disadvantaged communities, preparing them for decent work and active citizenship. The partnership aims to reach out to the youth across Africa, Asia, and Europe, with initial efforts focused on India, Turkey, and Vietnam.
In support of Generation Unlimited, SAP and UNICEF will co-create solutions for quality education and job skills for young people in underserved communities. Generation Unlimited engages the youth as it brings together multisector public and private investment in education and employment.
The official announcement of the three-year partnership was made at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations will be working together as part of the initiative to build sustainable education models with a focus on workforce inclusion initiatives to help young people thrive, and provide organisations with a prepared workforce.
UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said:
“For young people, the path to a successful future goes through quality education that equips them – and empowers them – with the skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce.”
Fore added:
“Young people are some of the world’s best creatives, enthusiasts and thinkers. We are excited to work with SAP to harness young people’s energy and ideas, and help them contribute to their economies and societies.”
Recognising the need for specialised skills in today’s rapidly changing economy, the collaboration intends to develop a standardized national curriculum, workforce readiness programmes, and in-depth research to better inform and connect the private sector with future talent. According to statistics, more than 1 in 5 young people today are neither in employment, education or training.
By 2030, about 2 billion youth around the world will be seeking employment and the companies and communities must prepare to sustainably integrate them into the workforce.
SAP CEO Bill McDermott stated that the opportunity gap in this new economy has made people concerned. He explained:
“Businesses need to take meaningful steps to upskill the current and future workforce, regardless of their age or where they live in the world. Together with UNICEF, SAP will focus on starting in the classroom where the foundation for every career is built. We will increase collaboration with the public sector and focus on the best possible curriculum to prepare future workers. This is another example where doing what’s right and doing what’s right for business are in perfect harmony.”
