Globalized world must provide decent jobs for young people, Vatican says

Vatican City, Jun 9, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the United Nations Office in Geneva (Switzerland) said during the International Labor Organization conference that providing decent jobs for young people is a must in the emerging globalized world.

"The road towards decent work for a decent life in a world where the globalization of solidarity is an active agenda starts indeed with young women and men and the promotion of their employment," said the Archbishop.

"Decent jobs for young people,” he continued, “have a critical pay off. Their creativity supported by an adequate technical culture and a sound sense of responsibility can make up for their limited experience and even open additional jobs through the micro-enterprises they may launch with the granting of appropriate credit."

Archbishop Tomasi then cited Pope Benedict's words to workers on May 1, 2005, when he underlined how "solidarity, justice and peace should be 'the pillars on which to build the unity of the human family'."

"The creation of decent work for all in a sustainable world," the Nuncio added, "has been a long-standing common base for a fruitful dialogue between the ILO and the social doctrine of the Church."

"It is the dignity of every human person that requires access to work in condition of personal security, health, fair remuneration, a safe environment. Work is a right and the expression of human dignity. My delegation, therefore, sees unemployment as a 'real social disaster'," he concluded.