Public servants leave early on their own commemorative day
The UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) to Namibia, Kiki Gbeho this week stressed the importance of preparing the youth to be public servants. “Today’s generation of youth is the largest the world has ever known. One in every three people today is under the age of 30. Investing in youth will ensure that young people are adequately equipped, to lead the public service sector in the future,” she said.
Gbeho spoke in commemoration of the United Nations’ Public Service Day on Friday 23 June. “[This day] recognizes that democracy and successful governance are built on the foundation of a competent public service” she said.
The youth population across the globe, is a valuable asset as they are the successors upon which countries depend for the continuity of development as well as for the success of the public service sector. According to The Namibia Labour Force Survey 2014, the Namibian youth constitutes 37% of the population.
The Namibia Labour Force Survey 2014 also found that the youth unemployment rate accounted for 39.2% of the total unemployment rate in Namibia. As unemployment positions people to be at risk of falling below the poverty line, there is a need to educate the youth about opportunities in public service.
Gbeho highlighted the importance of partnering with the youth to build a responsive and sustainable public service. “If we encourage the youth to pursue careers in this sector, we will not only be harnessing a powerful tool for change, but will also help to address issues of unemployment in Namibia,”
“Addressing youth unemployment will subsequently address poverty in the country. Ensuring that the future leaders of Namibia can live free from poverty, hunger and illness is in line with the Harambee Prosperity Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Fifth National Development Plan (NDP 5),” she said.
