The voice of young people and the YMCA was heard loud and clear today at the launch of a Report by The Business Commission to Tackle Inequality (BCTI): Tackling inequality: An agenda for business action. The BCTI is an initiative of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
The Report provides the global business community with a clear and compelling case for business efforts to tackle inequality, as well as a common and holistic agenda for private sector action. It underlines the fact that business profits cannot come at the cost of social and economic damage. Responsible business, as we know, is both ‘good business’ and ‘good for business’.
The YMCA is proud to have been at the heart of this two-year journey. Loris Tarazi of the East Jerusalem YMCA and Priscilla Dunn of YMCA Gambia were invited to be the two youth commissioners. And World YMCA Secretary General Carlos Sanvee also served as a Commissioner, recording a video message here.
“The process for developing the BCTI was inclusive and impressive”, said Priscilla. 
“We participated alongside CEOs and heads of sustainability of some of the largest corporations and organisations in the world. Our voices and views as young people were always welcomed. The report addresses many issues that are important for young people, including living wages, skills building and inclusivity in the workplace”.
Young people are the future of business as employees, consumers and members of society, Loris said. “I am honoured to have contributed to the development of the report. I look forward to sharing the findings and recommendations with young people in the YMCA for their input”.
Our YMCA involvement continues. We have undertaken to ‘road-test’ the report with young people, especially through our YMCA Change Agents programme.
Commented Carlos, “YMCA represented the voice of over a billion people in this debate. Meaningful Work is one of the four key Pillars of Impact of YMCA Vision 2030. It’s what young people want, and it’s what employers must provide.”