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Report of the national rural youth workshop on rural youth, food security and sustainable rural development in the Lao People's Democratic Republic

Year of publication 2005

Pages 23

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Series title RAP Publication

Series number 1020-6221|1014-2789|18194591|0428-9560

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) An account of the workshop which convened from 26 to 27 January 2005 in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic and brought together 61 rural youth from 18 provinces in the country to discuss the needs, constraints and challenges confronting young people. Youth make up a large proportion of populations in Asia and the Pacific region, many of whom live in poor, rural areas and lack adequate education and training and/or or are unemployed – conditions that make them vulnerable to exploitation in unsafe and unfair occupations with negative consequences (such as prostitution, HIV/AIDS and drug abuse). In the Lao People's Democratic Republic, 36 percent of the youth aged 10 to 25 have never attended school. Only 17 percent complete upper secondary school. Although working in agricultural fields is a daily duty for most rural youth, many consider themselves unemployed owing to the irregular and seasonal income from their endeavours. A large number move to urban areas where boys usually find employment in the construction industry while girls work in the garment industry, restaurants and entertainment localities where they may become involved in the sex industry. The report includes summaries of the group discussions and presentations as well as recommendations for improving the prospects of rural youth in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Language English

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