This post originally appeared 22 January 2014 on the Microsoft Citizenship Blog and was written by Karen Bergin, Director, Citizenship and Public Affairs.
This week, Microsoft is attending the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss, among other issues, the global youth unemployment crisis. Microsoft Citizenship and Public Affairs General Manager Lori Forte Harnick shares her thoughts on this worldwide problem in an op-ed on the Huffington Post, in which she outlines a potential solution centered on enhancing computer science education and digital literacy skills training around the world.
“The outlook is bleak: young adults who are out of work or underemployed are more likely to be unemployed, living in poverty or dependent on welfare later in life. Investments in the full spectrum of technology education – from digital literacy training to computer science engineering – play a critical role in tackling the situation. If we do not mobilize to provide these vital tools, skills and education, we will squander the incredible potential of the world's youth and put at risk our future global economic security.”
As we have seen through our global YouthSpark initiative, it is crucial to provide young people with opportunities to imagine and realize a better future for themselves. And, it is inspiring to see what they can achieve and create when given the chance.
Read Lori’s full op-ed in the Huffington Post: Computer Science Education: A Path Forward in Global Youth Unemployment Crisis
