At Kenan Foundation Asia, we celebrate July by embracing the “Youth Skills for a Better Future” theme, which coincides with the United Nations’ World Youth Skills Day. We strongly believe in the importance of developing youth skills to create a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future. With this in mind, we continue to deepen our commitment to three key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs): Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Reduced Inequalities. Through our projects, we work towards these goals, recognizing the vital role of youth in driving positive changes in society.
Quality Education
The fourth UN SDG, Quality Education, goes beyond traditional classroom learning. It calls for equitable and inclusive access to education that fosters creativity, innovation, and a lifelong passion for learning.
Embracing this goal, our Yes for Youth: Youth Employability Skills and Pathway project, in partnership with the CITI Foundation, aims to enhance vocational education standards. This initiative focuses on marginalized youth, equipping them with the skills and confidence they need to transition into gainful employment or entrepreneurship.
Decent Work and Economic Growth
The eighth UN SDG, Decent Work and Economic Growth, champions sustainable and inclusive economic progress, offering opportunities for all to have decent work. This requires innovative solutions that drive economic development while ensuring social benefits.
In response, Kenan has partnered with Diageo Moet Hennessy (Thailand) to establish the Learning for Life Enhancement program. This project equips potential hospitality workers with the necessary skills to thrive in a dynamic industry and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
Reduced Inequalities
Reduced Inequalities, the tenth UN SDG, aims to reduce disparities among individuals and countries, promoting social, economic, and political inclusion for all. It stresses the need to adopt policies that achieve greater equality, especially for the world’s most marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
Aligned with this mission, Kenan has undertaken transformative projects like the JP Morgan Pathways in STEM program for female students and the 2023 YSEALI Enviro-Tech Regional Workshop. These programs aim to reduce inequalities by providing quality opportunities in STEM fields for women and empowering young Southeast Asian leaders to effectively combat climate change.
As we commemorate World Youth Skills Day, Kenan Foundation Asia proudly reaffirms its commitment to building youth skills for a better future. We recognize that by investing in youth skills development, we are accelerating progress toward Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Reduced Inequalities. Together, we are shaping a resilient and sustainable future where every young person holds the power to make a positive impact.
