OAS and Ayuda en Acción Forge Alliance to Boost Youth Employment in Latin America

Press Release

OAS and Ayuda en Acción Forge Alliance to Boost Youth Employment in Latin America

• The agreement aims to ease the transition from education to the workforce, with a primary focus on youth and disadvantaged communities.
• The organizations also announced a regional competition to highlight best practices in education using Generative Artificial Intelligence.


The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the NGO Ayuda en Acción signed a partnership agreement today to strengthen regional cooperation across Latin America and the Caribbean. The alliance targets two pillars essential for reducing inequality: inclusive, high-quality education and the creation of sustainable, equitable economic opportunities.

The agreement, integrated into the OAS Educational Portal of the Americas and presented before the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI), arrives at a decisive stage for the region. Latin America currently faces a dual gap: the educational and digital inequalities impacting vulnerable communities, and considerable barriers preventing youth from accessing quality employment.

In Latin America, the average youth unemployment rate stands at 17%-nearly 11% higher than the adult unemployment rate. Furthermore, more than half of employed young people work in the informal sector, according to the latest joint report by Ayuda en Acción and ECLAC.

Through this partnership, Ayuda en Acción and the OAS will co-design policies, programs, and strategic alliances to ease the transition from the classroom to the workplace. Special attention will be given to individuals and groups at risk of social exclusion, with the aim of reinforcing social well-being and equality.

"With this agreement, we strengthen our shared commitment to expanding access to opportunities for the region's youth, easing their transition into the workforce, and laying the foundations for peace and prosperity across our Member States," stated Barbara Kotschwar, Officer-in-Charge of the OAS Executive Secretariat for Integral Development.

"Inequality is fought with real opportunities: inclusive education, training aligned with labor market needs, and alliances that turn cooperation into tangible results. This agreement with the OAS allows us to scale that impact with a true regional vision," noted Jorge Cattaneo, General Director of Ayuda en Acción.

The collaboration also includes institutional networking to launch projects with ministries in OAS Member States, exploring synergies with other international organizations, joint activities, co-publishing research, and joint reports.

Priority Focus: Youth and the Transition from Education to Employment

The core of this agreement addresses the "education-to-employment" gap for youths in the Americas-a challenge intensified by technological, demographic, and environmental shifts. As traditional roles in agriculture and manufacturing decline, it is estimated that 70% of young people will enter the service sector by 2030. This shift presents significant hurdles for labor inclusion and productivity throughout the region.

To meet this challenge, both parties have committed to prioritizing technical and vocational training, employability, and socioeconomic inclusion. They will work directly with Ministries of Education and Labor to identify opportunities for cooperation that bridge these social gaps.

Social and Educational Innovation: Regional Generative AI Competition

In a forward-looking move, the agreement includes the design and launch of a regional competition for best practices in the use of educational resources involving Generative AI. This initiative seeks to promote experiences that enhance learning and strengthen job-relevant skills, specifically within technical and professional training frameworks.

The goal is to showcase educational initiatives that utilize AI responsibly and equitably, while ensuring that technological innovation serves as a tool to democratize opportunity rather than widen digital divides.

OAS Press Contact: Valentina Issa ([email protected])

Ayuda en Acción Press Contact: ( [email protected])

Reference: E-025/26