Addressing youth unemployment in Asia with CYSDP

By 2018, global youth unemployment is projected to rise to 12.8%. In India alone, 57% of the youth population is suffering from some degree of un-employability.

This lack of livelihood can have a multitude of adverse effects ranging from alcoholism, drug use, malnutrition and mental health issues; almost condemning these youth to continuous struggle, preventing them from being successfully involved in an already disparate society.

The simple act of engaging in play is therapeutic in itself as it plays a significant role in alleviating the stress and pressure of facing such staggering employment realities. As a first step, it gives participants hope and purpose while providing discrimination-free environments, positive role models and a place to develop and enjoy one’s self.

With respect to tackling the issue of youth unemployment, sport is both a means to an end and an end in itself. Organisations such as Right To Play, Magic Bus India and Slum Soccer India use engagement in well-structured sport and play activities as a mechanism to institute behavioural change at a grassroots level with the end goal of transforming children.

This ultimately helps to nurture them on a journey from impoverished childhood to livelihood. Moreover, sport develops and enhances employability skills, connects individuals, enhances emotional intelligence and contributes to improving overall quality of life. It is a well-researched fact that sport enhances values of cooperation, healthy competition, team-spirit and leadership.

Reports indicate that one in every six persons in Asia has some form of disability. Involvement of persons with challenges in sport has a two-fold benefit: enhancing their self-worth and wellbeing while simultaneously transforming sociocultural perceptions of disability.

The Wheeling Happiness Foundation, India, focuses on social inclusion of persons with disabilities through engagement in motor sport and para-sport activities.

Many physically challenged young adults have been assisted with driving lessons and vehicle modifications, reducing their dependency and allowing access to gainful employment opportunities.

Two of the physically challenged athletes identified and supported by Wheeling Happiness from economically underprivileged communities went on to excel at Para-Asian Games 2014. As a result of their performance, these athletes have now been conferred with permanent jobs in the public sector.

The recognition of sport for development as a significant tool for tackling unemployment by regional as well as international development organisations such the UNOSDP and the CYSDP will provide operational guidelines and facilitate further research towards SDP, which will be especially important in the post-2015 development agenda.

This is the fourth in a series of articles from the CYSDP Working Group. Don’t miss part five of the series by Jennie Wong, which will feature in the 135th sportanddev e-Newsletter.

• Visit the CYSDP website