CGI U: Working Session #2

A More Employable Future: Educating our Global Youth

Panelists: Ruth Simmons, President, Brown University - Moderator; Steven Muray, Chancellor, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas; Emeka Okafor, Partner, Caranda Fine Foods; Joanna Ramos-Romero, Latin American Reigional Manager, entra 21, International Youth Foundation; and, Ethan Veneklasen, Regional Director - West Coast, American Indian Federation.

Key Facts from the session:
* A single year of primary education correlates to a 10-20% increase in women's wages later in life. The salary correlation to a year of secondary education for girls is even higher between 15-25%

*In FY2007 the U.S. appropriated $460 million for basic education in the developing world. The best estimate for the cost of putting every child in school by 2010 is $10 billion annually, a sum equivalent to the annual operating budget for New York City public schools.

* In 2005, Ghana abolished user fees across the country, and primary school enrollment rose by 14%

*In the U.S. persistent childhood poverty's estimated cost to the nation each year is $500 billion because of lost adult productivity and wages, increased crime, and higher health expenditures. Just as alarmingly, 42% of children born into the poorest quintile in the U.S. will remain in the quintile their whole life.

*Global youth (aged 15-24) unemployment increased from 11.7% in 1993 to an all-time high of 14.4% (88 million) in 2003

*In 2003-2004, of the approximately 20 million youth in Latin America and the Caribbean 15.9% were unemployed, which is more than double the adult unemployment rate of 6.6%. Conversely, young people in Latin America are more educated than their parents.

*Over 30% of the Middle East's population - or 100 million individuals- is between the ages of 15-29. Youth unemployment rates are at 25%, which is among the highest for any global region.

These key facts paint a real problem in the world today. Youth, my own age demographic, are finding it increasingly difficult to get an education, and get work. It is unfortunately a situation that if not rectified will have serious repercussions for generations to come.

The panelists each outlined what they were up to in ways of solutions. I must admit that at this point in the day I was starting to get lost in my own thoughts and much of what was said was lost on me, unfortunately. I did, however, zone in for a couple of interesting points that seemed to fit what my mind had at this point focused in on. Ethan Veneklasen brought up the point of youth being a key asset, and in particular their inexperience being a real asset to help come up with solutions. When he said that I instantly zoned in. After the session I approached him about his comments because I figured he would have some real insight into the mentorship idea. I am happy to say that we have continued/started discussion recently and I think he is as keen as I am to see what we can come up with.

The other panelist who caught my attention was Emeka Okafor. He was one of the most elegant speakers I have heard in a long time. He is involved quite extensively with TED in Africa, and has a blog that might be of real interest to you at Africa Unchained. His perspective on education in Africa and the need to solutions to be home grown was in real contrast to some other comments, but also in my opinion more viable.

At this point in the day I was cooked. I was saturated with new information, and like my mind tends to do in these circumstances, I started to mind wander. I piece things together in my mind and find paths to other things I already know (or at least think I know!) Sometimes it can be a bummer because I miss out on more valuable information, but I suppose I am only wired to take in so much at once.

I should mention that the delegates seated at my table were all quite fascinating. While my enthusiasm had somewhat wained due to exhaustion, they were all rather chipper. When I explained my commitment our table moderator made quite an interesting comment about me. In describing me he referred to me as a Pragmatic Idealist - I quite like that title! As well, the other delegates had interesting commitments that were of real interest to me. One girl is creating a Political/World Issues Revue Magazine for her college at Vanderbilt to inform people about what is going on around them - her sense was that informed people are more participant in making things better and less apathetic. I would have to agree - to a point. I am interested to see how it goes and what sort of results occur.

Check out the video of this session, and the others for that matter, on the CGI U website to get a better idea of what I was sitting in on.