July 2nd, 2011
"Youth, the future of cooperative enterprise”
Youth are an asset for agriculture
Youth form a large proportion of the global population. They represent a valuable asset and an important potential labour force for countries in which they constitute the majority of the population. According to UNFPA, there are 1.2 billion adolescents in the world, of which, nine out of ten live in developing countries and 55% reside in rural areas. In many regions, young farmers are the future of agriculture and rural development. They are usually endowed with a sense of innovation, creativity and dynamism. Young women and men farmers are the entrepreneurs of tomorrow and can potentially overcome the food security challenge.
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For more messages from the United Nations Secretary-General, the Director-General of the International Labour Office (ILO) and the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), go to the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) website