Expanding Career Horizons: How the Gatsby Benchmarks Can Improve Higher Education Awareness in ASEAN

In 2024, the ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO) was selected as a steering organization for the OECD YOUNG Programs to amplify youth voices globally. This article introduces the OECD Youth Policy Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to help policymakers develop effective strategies that empower young people. By exploring the Toolkit, we hope to inspire action and collaboration among all stakeholders invested in creating a better future for youth globally.

What is the OECD Youth Policy Toolkit?

The OECD Youth Policy Toolkit was developed to support the implementation of the OECD Recommendation on Creating Better Opportunities for Young People, adopted by all OECD member countries in June 2022. The toolkit provides practical guidance and showcases over 70 good practice examples to help governments design and execute policies that address young people’s unique challenges.

This comprehensive resource is organised into five pillars:

1. 1. Skills and competencies: Policies focus on ensuring young people acquire relevant knowledge and skills, such as promoting equitable access to education, career guidance, and lifelong learning opportunities.
   2. Youth labour market outcomes and entrepreneurship: Efforts aim to reduce barriers to entering the workforce, create quality jobs, and promote fair and safe workplaces. Support for entrepreneurship and improved employment services are also included.
   3. Young people’s social and health outcomes: This pillar emphasises policies that enhance social inclusion, mental health, and well-being. For instance, it highlights the importance of affordable housing and targeted support for disadvantaged youths.
   4. Young people’s trust in government and public institutions: Removing barriers to civic engagement and increasing youth representation in public institutions are key goals. Encouraging volunteerism and youth participation in democratic processes can help foster trust and cohesion.
   5. Administrative and technical capacities to address age-based inequalities: Governments are encouraged to build inclusive policies that respond to young people’s needs. Better data collection and intergenerational perspectives in decision-making are vital to this effort.

Why Was This Toolkit Developed?

Young people today face a rapidly changing world shaped by digital and green transformations, economic uncertainties, and demographic shifts. They also report lower trust in governments compared to other age groups. To help policymakers implement the OECD Youth Recommendation, the OECD has developed a Youth Policy Toolkit. 

The Toolkit provides practical, concrete guidance for countries designing and executing policies for young people. It highlights a range of good practice examples from all 38 OECD countries, covering policy areas such as education and skills, employment and entrepreneurship, health and social inclusion, participation and representation in public life, and public governance and intergenerational justice.

These practices reflect diverse characteristics of young people, which may differ depending on national circumstances, socio-economic status, geographic area, age, gender, race and ethnicity, indigeneity, migrant status, (dis)ability status and all other identities young people associate with, and their intersections. By addressing these challenges, the OECD Youth Policy Toolkit equips policymakers and practitioners with the tools to ensure all young people, regardless of their background, have opportunities to succeed.

A Call to Action

If you are passionate about creating a brighter future for young people, explore the OECD Youth Policy Toolkit to learn how you can support youth empowerment. Whether you’re a policymaker, educator, or youth leader, this toolkit offers valuable insights and practical solutions (Read HERE).

Additional Information

What is the OECD?

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organization, consisting of 38 member countries, dedicated to building better policies for better lives. With over 60 years of experience, the OECD works closely with policymakers, stakeholders, and citizens to establish evidence-based international standards. These standards help address social, economic, and environmental challenges, such as improving education, fighting climate change, and enhancing public policies. The OECD’s goal is to help countries create stronger, fairer, and more sustainable societies.

What is the OECD YOUNG Program?

The OECD Youth Organizations’ Sounding Board for Governance (YOUNG) connects over 700 youth organizations from more than 80 countries. These organizations, which operate internationally, nationally, and locally, are non-profit and apolitical. They provide critical input to OECD’s analytical work and policy dialogue, ensuring that youth perspectives are included in decision-making processes.