The FINANCIAL -- Youth and how they are coping in today’s tough economic conditions is an issue of national importance, and the theme of a symposium to be held at The University of Auckland this week.

According to The University of Auckland , driving the discussions will be 30 young people from South and Central Auckland high schools. They will join senior policy makers, practitioners and academics, including Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft.

The one day symposium is co-sponsored by the Department of Sociology, University of Auckland and the National Centre for Life Course Research, University of Otago.

The figures show these are difficult times for our nation’s youth. The youth unemployment rate (15 to 19 years) is three times that of the overall working population. Young people make up 45 per cent of our unemployment rate, more than in any other OECD country. The rates for Maori and Pacific are even higher. New Zealand also has one of the highest youth suicide rates in the OECD.

The day will include presentations by Professor Alan France; Dr Tracey McIntosh, Department of Sociology, The University of Auckland; and Professor Richie Poulton, National Centre for Lifecourse Research, University of Otago.

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