Realizing the Potential of Youth Presentation by Farzana Kashfi, BRAC

Why Invest in Youth? 1.3 billion people are in between 15 and 25 years With 44 percent of its population under the age of 15 in 2006, Sub-Saharan Africa is the youngest region of the world (World Development Report, 2007 and Population Reference Bureau, 2006)

From a Demographic Perspective Investing in youth can help reap demographic dividends Low fertility rate and decline in mortality creates a youth bulge- large working population with low dependency rate Window of opportunity Exceptional economic growth can result from utilizing this window of opportunity Examples include South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand

Example of Demographic Window of Opportunity Working age population (15-59) as a percentage of total population (Source of Figure: United Nation,2000)

Where to make the investments? Education- Important in all contexts Transition to Work Youth Voice, Rights and Identity

Financial Services for Youth Access to financial services is a right Young people are already economically active Can help young people both in continuing education and in transition to work

Savings An important tool for behavioral change Start early Stepping stone to introduce young people to sound financial management Child and Youth Finance International- an unprecedented movement for providing savings accounts to 100 million youth across 100 countries by 2015

Credit A powerful tool to empower Access important but so is tailoring products to the needs of young people Need to apply caution Can be more effective if accompanied with financial education and skills development training

Customizing for Youth Very important since characteristics vary based on: Age Gender Socio-economic status School/Employment status Marital status (Single mother/married) Location

Girls World’s greatest source of untapped potential Change agents for themselves, families and communities

BRAC Started in 1972 in Bangladesh Working in Uganda, Tanzania, Southern Sudan, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Haiti Reaching 138 million

BRAC and Youth 4.66 million have graduated from BRAC Primary schools in Bangladesh About 242,000 receiving financial education through partnership with Aflatoun Skills Training through partnering with government and non-governmental institutions Piloting holistic informal apprenticeship model for urban youth

BRAC and Youth (Cont.) Organizing over 300,000 girls to socially and financially empower them in about 10,000 Girls’ Clubs across Bangladesh, Uganda, Tanzania, Southern Sudan and Afghanistan Learning: Important to address youth across all programs

Role of Policy Makers and Financial Institutions Need to create the framework that can help young people exercise this right in a safe environment and at their own pace Better, more informed, and less risky clients MFIs need to focus more on youth

Conclusion Youth represents Hope, Aspirations, Leaders of Today and Tomorrow

Thank You!