ECOFIN
Chair | Shayna Hanifeh
Topic B: Enhancing Economic Policies and Trade Opportunities to Address Global Youth Unemployment
Houston Area Model United Nations 51
February 5 & 6, 2026
Houston Area
Model United Nations
Standard Committee
Chair Letter
Welcome to HAMUN 51,
My name is Shayna Hanifeh, and I am a sophomore at the University of Houston, double majoring in Finance and Accounting. I’m so excited and honored to serve as your chair for the Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN) this year.
Before we get into the committee details, I want to share a little about myself. I love exploring new places and learning about different cultures, and this past summer I traveled to Spain and Portugal with my best friend, who is Spanish. Her family still lives there, so I was able to experience everything in a very local and meaningful way. I also enjoy reading, and I play piano for fun whenever I need a break from school. These experiences have shaped how I see the world and why I’m passionate about global issues and international collaboration.
I first got involved with HAMUN during my senior year of high school thanks to a close friend. Even though I joined later than most, MUN quickly became meaningful to me. It changed the way I think about problem-solving and leadership, and I’m excited to help you experience that too.
This year, our committee will explore major economic challenges from rising energy prices and inflation to trade policies that affect opportunities for young people worldwide. You’ll be thinking critically, representing your country accurately, and working together to build realistic solutions.
I’m looking forward to seeing the ideas each of you brings to the table. If you ever have questions about ECOFIN or need guidance, feel free to reach out. I can’t wait to meet you all and see the incredible work you’ll do.
Sincerely,
Shayna Hanifeh
Chair of ECOFIN
Shabnampourhanifeh@gmail.com
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Background Information
ECOFIN
Chair | Shayna Hanifeh
Houston Area Model United Nations 51
February 5-6, 2026
Introduction to ECOFIN
The Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN) is the Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. Its main job is to look at world economic and financial issues that affect many countries. ECOFIN focuses on topics such as international trade, global debt, sustainable development, and how money and resources can be shared more fairly. Even though ECOFIN cannot create laws, it writes resolutions and recommendations that are sent to the General Assembly. These documents can influence world leaders and help guide international organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. In ECOFIN, every country has a chance to speak, debate, and suggest ideas.
Together, members try to solve problems like rising energy prices, economic inequality, and the challenges of globalization. The goal of the committee is to promote peace, fairness, and economic growth across the globe.
Executive Summary
Global youth unemployment continues to be a serious economic challenge, with millions of young people struggling to find stable work despite rising levels of education and connectivity. The issue extends beyond individual livelihoods and affects long-term economic growth, productivity, and social stability. Many economies face a mismatch between the skills young people have and the jobs available, while limited access to capital and trade networks makes it harder for youth-led businesses to grow. The lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, automation, and economic inequality have further deepened this problem, particularly in developing regions where informal work remains the main source of
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of income for young workers.
ECOFIN must consider how to build stronger economic systems that expand opportunities for youth participation in the global economy. This includes supporting education systems that prepare students for modern industries, promoting youth entrepreneurship, and ensuring that trade policies create fair access to international markets. Delegates are encouraged to explore how financial inclusion, sustainable growth, and targeted investment can drive job creation for young people. The ultimate goal is to develop policies that empower the next generation to contribute to a more stable and inclusive global economy.
Topic Concept
Youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing and multifaceted global economic concerns of the twenty-first century. Although the global youth labor market has shown signs of recovery since the pandemic, millions of young people continue to face structural barriers that limit their access to secure and decent work. According to the International Labour Organization, roughly 64 million young
Individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 are unemployed, and more than 20 percent are not in education, employment, or training. These numbers illustrate how weak job creation, combined with uneven access to education and skills development, continues to hinder the economic participation of an entire generation.
The roots of youth unemployment extend far beyond job scarcity. Many countries lack diversified economies that can adapt to changing global conditions. In regions heavily dependent on agriculture or natural resources, economic shocks and commodity price fluctuations often translate into job losses for younger workers. Meanwhile, rapid technological change and automation have altered labor demand, replacing low-skill jobs with digital and service-based positions that require specialized training. As a result, young
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Workers without access to quality education or vocational programs are often left behind, creating long-term income gaps and social instability.
Trade and globalization also play a defining role in shaping youth employment. Nations that have successfully integrated into global markets tend to generate more opportunities in manufacturing, digital trade, and services, yet these benefits are not equally shared. Developing countries often struggle with infrastructure limitations, a lack of trade financing, and restrictive market entry conditions. This means that even when trade expands, youth-led enterprises may be unable to compete internationally. Creating fairer trade conditions and strengthening regional markets can help reduce this divide by supporting small and medium enterprises, which are critical employers of young workers.
Recent years have also seen a rise in youth entrepreneurship as a response to unemployment. Many governments and international organizations have launched programs offering training, seed capital, or
mentorship to help young people start businesses. While these initiatives can stimulate innovation and local job creation, they sometimes produce unintended consequences. In economies with weak consumer demand or limited export capacity, an oversupply of microbusinesses can lead to market saturation and unstable income. Moreover, without adequate financial regulation or support systems, youth entrepreneurs can remain vulnerable to debt or exploitation. Another important aspect is the transition between education and employment. The mismatch between academic qualifications and labor market needs remains a significant obstacle. Employers frequently report difficulty finding workers with relevant technical and soft skills, even when youth unemployment rates are high. Strengthening public-private partnerships between industries and educational institutions could help align training with real-world demands. Countries that have adopted such models, such as Germany and South Korea, demonstrate lower youth unemployment rates and smoother transitions from school to work. Finally, emerging trends in global trade and technology present both opportunities and challenges. The rise of e-commerce, digital services, and green industries offers new
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pathways for youth employment, especially for those equipped with digital literacy and environmental expertise.
At the same time, the digital divide continues to exclude young people in rural or low-income regions from participating in these sectors. Balancing innovation with inclusion will be essential to ensure that technological progress benefits youth everywhere.
Addressing global youth unemployment therefore requires more than short-term relief. It demands rethinking the foundations of economic policy, trade access, and education to create systems that empower young people as active participants in sustainable growth. For ECOFIN, this issue represents not only an economic challenge but also an opportunity to strengthen the resilience and fairness of the global economy.
Topic History
Youth unemployment has been a growing global concern since the late twentieth century. After the oil crises of the 1970s and the recessions that followed, young workers were often the first to lose jobs, revealing how vulnerable youth are to economic
downturns. In the 1990s, globalization and technological change shifted economies toward services and digital industries, creating new opportunities but also demanding new skills. Many education systems were slow to adapt, leaving young people underprepared for the evolving job market. The 2008 global financial crisis marked a major turning point. Job losses were widespread, and young people faced some of the slowest recoveries in employment. Governments around the world launched initiatives such as job training programs, entrepreneurship grants, and youth hiring incentives. Some, like Germany’s apprenticeship model, saw success, but many programs struggled due to limited funding, weak oversight, or mismatched goals. In the 2010s, international organizations such as the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, and the World Bank began prioritizing youth employment in development agendas. This focus led to the inclusion of Sustainable Development Goal 8, which calls for sustained, inclusive economic growth and full employment for all. However, despite these efforts, youth unemployment remains persistently higher than adult unemployment. Today, many countries have introduced new policies linking youth employment to innovation and trade. Expanding access to digital tools,
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Trade finance and entrepreneurship training have shown promise, especially in emerging economies.
Yet challenges remain, including automation, inequality, and limited job creation in rural areas. Understanding these historical developments helps delegates recognize that the problem is not only about the availability of jobs but also about how global economic systems can better support young people’s participation in growth and trade.
Now that the historical background and main factors behind global youth unemployment have been explained, the visual to the left of the page gives a clear picture of how these challenges appear today. The chart shows that while some regions have made progress, youth unemployment remains uneven across the world. Some continue to face long-term barriers, while others have built stronger and more stable economies for young workers. This visual connects the history to the present by showing how regions experience the issue differently. In the Middle East and North Africa, unemployment stays high because of economic instability and limited private-sector growth. In Sub-Saharan Africa, population growth continues to outpace job creation. In contrast, regions such as East Asia and North America show lower rates that reflect stronger education systems and access to trade. These comparisons show that while causes vary, the effects are deeply interconnected. Looking at this data alongside the historical context gives a fuller picture of how global and local forces shape youth employment. The graph is not just a set of numbers; it represents real people, opportunities, and challenges within the global economy. Understanding these patterns will help ECOFIN delegates create solutions that are realistic, inclusive, and focused on the future of work for young people everywhere.
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Study Case 1: The European Union’s Youth Guarantee
After the Eurozone financial crisis, the European Union launched the Youth Guarantee to ensure that every person under 25 would receive an offer of employment, education, or training within four months of leaving school or becoming unemployed. The program focused on apprenticeships, job training, and public–private partnerships to help young people transition into the workforce. It succeeded in countries such as Finland and Austria, where strong institutions supported its rollout, and youth unemployment dropped noticeably in the years that followed. However, other states faced difficulties due to limited funding and weak coordination. The initiative proved that financial support must be paired with education reform and long-term labor strategies to be effective, showing that economic recovery depends on both national and regional cooperation.
Study Case 2: The International Labour Organization’s Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth
The Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth is one of the United Nations’ leading programs focused on improving youth employment worldwide. Led by the ILO, it brings together governments, private companies, and civil organizations to promote fair wages, sustainable jobs, and equal opportunities. The program has encouraged many countries to include youth employment goals in their national development strategies and has created partnerships focused on digital skills, green jobs, and entrepreneurship. While progress has been made, the initiative depends heavily on voluntary cooperation and funding, which limits its reach. Still, it remains a strong example of how international collaboration can influence economic policy and encourage member states to prioritize youth inclusion within global trade and development efforts.
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Questions to Consider
References
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Copyright Notice
The contents of this document and any supplementary material are the sole intellectual property of Houston Area Model United Nations.
It may not be reproduced, republished, or used without the express written permission of Houston Area Model United Nations. Please email staff@houstonareamun.org with any questions.
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