Center for the Study of Labor and Democracy
in cooperation with
Hofstra Cultural Center
presents

Youth Employment in the Global Economy
An International Interdisciplinary Conference

Thursday and Friday, September 15 and 16, 2005

Today's youth will shape tomorrow's economy; their job problems and prospects have far-reaching social implications. With baby boomers nearing retirement and some scholars predicting labor shortages in the near future, the rising educational levels and computer skills of young people could translate into unusually bright career outlooks. However, youth joblessness in the United States has recently risen to historic highs, and health insurance coverage, unionization and college affordability have all fallen. Growing concerns over strained public pension and health care systems are driving millions to delay retirement and leading some to warn that a "generational storm" may be on the horizon. What are the causes and consequences of such trends? How does the U.S. experience compare with the experiences of other industrialized nations? What are the most promising policies for improving young people's future employment prospects?

More information about panels, a schedule of events and registration information is available in the Conference Registration Program.

Some topics which were discussed at the conference included:

• Youth unemployment: pay, working conditions and schedules.
• Student employment: impacts on school performance, career paths and family income.
• Schooling and training: access to affordable college or noncollege training.
• Health issues: youth workplace injury rates and health insurance coverage.
• Racial, ethnic, gender and class employment differentials and discrimination.
• Adult/youth job competition and "two-tier" pay/benefit structures.
• Young people's involvement with unions and other worker advocacy organizations.
• Globalization's impacts on the youth labor force: immigration, trade and outsourcing.
• Government laws, regulations and programs relevant to youth employment.
• Strategies to improve both the quantity and quality of young workers' job opportunities.

The deadline for submission of an abstract was March 15, 2005. A detailed Call for Papers can be found here: Youth Employment Call for Papers. A style sheet for papers can be found here: Style Sheet For Authors. Additional information can be found by viewing the Save the Date Card.

Conference Director:

Gregory DeFreitas
Professor of Economics
Director, Center for the Study of Labor and Democracy
Hofstra University

Conference Coordinator:

Lauren Mennella
Hofstra Cultural Center

For more information contact:

Hofstra Cultural Center
200 Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY 11549
Tel: (516) 463-5669
Fax: (516) 463-4793
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Center for the Study of Labor and Democracy
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