《FinalOpp_for_Action_Paper》.pdf

OppOrtunity r o Action f PrePar Ing Youth For 21st centurY l Ivel Ihoods International Youth Foundation March 2012 Microsoft commissioned the “Opportunity for Action” paper to raise awareness of the opportunity divide—an emergent gap among youth between those who have the access, skills, and opportunities to be successful, and those who do not. Through this paper, Microsoft is generating a dialogue about how technology and other investments can help bridge the divide for youth around the world and is committed to working with businesses, the NGO community, and governments to help youth succeed in the global economy. The content of this paper is the responsibility of the International Youth Foundation and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Microsoft. © 2012 International Youth Foundation (IYF). All rights reserved. No portion of this report may be reproduced without prior written permission from IYF. Preface At no time in history have the power and potential The only way to bring about this tipping point toward sustainable of the world’s young people been so dramatically progress is through public–private partnerships. Fortunately, on display on the world stage. As Secretary of corporate, government, and civic leaders increasingly recognize State Hillary Clinton put it recently in remarks at a the need to mobilize the necessary resources to defeat poverty youth forum in Tunisia: “Young people are at the and close the opportunity gap for the largest-ever youth heart of today’s great strategic opportunities and cohort to enter the global marketplace. We are grateful to challenges, from rebuilding the global economy to corporations such as Microsoft Corp. that are taking the lead