A recent Deloitte global survey found that in emerging markets like the Philippines, more than 6 out of 10 millennials—defined as those born January 1983 onward, degree-educated and currently in full-time employment—aspire to become the “leader or most senior executive within their current organization.” This ratio was higher than in developed markets, where only 4 out of 10 of their counterparts said the same.
Our ambitious millennials face an uphill battle, however. The Deloitte survey also showed that the higher education they received only contributed 40 percent to the fulfillment of their day-to-day roles and responsibilities in their respective workplaces.
Schools and industries remain disconnected, resulting in a growing population of educated unemployed. April 2015 official data showed that up to 35.3 percent of the unemployed have actually reached college or any post-secondary level of education.
In short, we remain unable to meaningfully prepare our youth for the world of work. This disenfranchises our young. If this goes unabated, the youth’s anger will sow more disrespect and apprehension with political leaders and democratic institutions.
I emphasized this point during the recent Leaders’ Meeting in Mexico City of Centrist Democrat International (CDI), the largest network of conservative and moderate political parties in the world.
As a CDI executive board member and vice president for Asia Pacific, I assured my colleagues that Asia Pacific remains a bright spot for democracy. The Economist Intelligence Unit registered the region as the best-performing in its 2014 Democracy Index. The 2015 Freedom in the World report showed that Asia Pacific has been the only region to record steady gains in political rights and civil liberties over the past five years.
But for democracy in Asia Pacific to remain relevant, it must cater to our young ones. The 2013 Asian Barometer Survey showed that, for the average Asian youth, democracy means good governance and social equity, rather than a set of legal norms (“rule of law”) or procedural considerations. This is a vital lesson, especially for our political leadership.
E-mail: angara.ed@gmail.com.