00:02It is a great pleasure to be able to mark International Youth Day, an occasion which
00:07is immensely close to my heart. Today gives us all an opportunity to celebrate the incredible
00:14achievements of young people and additionally allows us to reflect on the impact that recent
00:21years have had on the younger generation. In terms of the adversities they have faced,
00:27it is remarkable to see the resilience and ambition young people continue to show in the
00:34face of unprecedented global challenges. It gives me great personal pride to reflect on
00:40the stories of the young people I have met through the work of My Prince's Trust. Over
00:46the past 46 years the Prince's Trust Group of Charities has helped well over 1 million young
00:52people in more than 20 countries to build better futures for themselves. And yet many more young
01:01people continue to need our support having endured vastly challenging events in recent years. From
01:08the impact of a public health crisis and now a cost of living challenge to the threat of climate change,
01:17there has been much to erode the hope of the younger generation. Sadly, from speaking to young people
01:25supported by My Trust, I have heard how the pandemic has disrupted their crucial transitional years
01:34on the journey from school to work and from childhood to adulthood. From leaving education without the
01:43camaraderie of their school friends to raise their spirits to learning new skills online, it is clear
01:51that many young people have experienced unique challenges during this formative period of their life.
01:58These disruptions have the potential to be devastating in their impact on young people's well-being
02:05and My Trust has found time and time again that poor mental health can become a significant obstacle when young
02:15people try to take their next step into employment. Recently, our global report into the future of work found
02:25that young people leaving education do not feel ready for the world of work. They are calling for us all
02:35to play our
02:35part and help provide them with the skills they need for the jobs of the future, especially those in the
02:44green economy,
02:45as the threats of climate change and accelerating loss of biodiversity loom large and are felt acutely
02:53by our younger generation. This International Youth Day, the United Nations is asking us to maximise the
03:02potential of the potential of all generations as an act of intergenerational solidarity. I have already
03:09witnessed the virtuous circle that has been created by the work of My Trust, with so many of those who
03:16were helped years or even decades ago, now giving back to those in need of support in all manner of
03:24ways.
03:25As we still do not know the full repercussions of this turbulent period for the younger generation,
03:32it is time for us all to come together to support the world's future workforce.
03:38From decades of experience in the United Kingdom and now across the Commonwealth and beyond,
03:44My Trust has demonstrated that by investing in the potential of young people,
03:50society and a circular green economy based on harmony with nature will feel the positive benefits
03:57for years to come. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who is already supporting young
04:06people around the world, but most of all I want to show my appreciation of what the younger generation can
04:13achieve.
04:15It is particularly important that you know your resilience is respected, your determination is admired,
04:22and that our commitment to you is clear in order to give you all the chance you deserve.
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