The event, which was organised by the Dräger Foundation, Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) and the Youth Employment Network (YEN), took place from October 19-20, 2004. The Symposium examined the impact of youth employment in poverty reduction within the wider development agenda under the framework of the UN's Millennium Development Goals. Many of the ideas and proposals discussed during the Symposium were developed during the “International Youth Dialogue”, which was held on October 18, 2004. About 60 participants from all over the world participated in this forum. Representing youth organisations, individual projects and initiatives working at the international, regional, national and grassroots levels, the participants exchanged their views, best practices and visions regarding empowerment, participation, employability and entrepreneurship.

The International Youth Dialogue: “Youth and the Job Market: Prepared for Each Other?”

On October 18, 2004, 60 youth participants from all over the world met to discuss current international youth employment efforts. This programme, organised by the Dràger Foundation, Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) the Youth Employment Network (YEN) and World Scouting, focused on innovative approaches for the promotion of youth employment. The Youth Dialogue provided a platform for the participants to present their projects as well as to elaborate and discuss international strategies, alliances and potential solutions for youth employment and participation.

World Scouting presence was focused on the sharing of best practices on employability and the impact of non-formal education. Dominique Bénard, Director Educational Programme at theWorld Scout Bureau, coordinated a working group on employability and education.

Colm Kavanagh, Programme Development Officer of Scouting Ireland, presented “Scouting for Work.” Scouting for Work was a programme initiative devised and implemented by Scouting Ireland during the 1980's, a period of high unemployment in Ireland. The aim of the programme was to provide young people with skills and knowledge that would enable them to become employable.

The participants of the Youth Dialogue concluded that it is important to empower the participation of young people in the decision making processes, that non-formal education systems should be recognized more widely and that a strategic alliance between the private sector, public sector and the civil society should be established.