Global Youth Development: Challenges and Remedies (Published)
Young people have enormous potential for growth and innovation, but not all have access to resources and opportunities to explore, achieve their dreams, and contribute immensely to society. Absence or limited opportunities and resources pose great challenges to young people’s aspirations. Through a review of literature and study of some countries young people globally face challenges, though at varying degrees like unemployment, limited access to healthcare, social services, and education; lack of professional support, skills acquisition and retraining, and political exclusion; judicial inequity, loneliness, and poor parenting. There still exist policies, structures, or regulations that encourage racial and ethnic or gender discrimination thereby inequities to social, economic, and political resources. These situations result in mental stress and cause them to engage in risky life behaviors with long-term effects to self and society. Globally increasing youth populations requires a combined energy of government and non-governmental organizations to invest robustly in youth development resources to ensure their proper development; involvement, and leadership in society to contribute positively to social change for a productive and equitable society.
Keywords: Youth, global youth issues, young people, youth challenges