“Humanitarian response, sustainable development and sustaining peace (and partnerships) are three sides of the same triangle.”
– António Guterres, UN Secretary General
As of September 2023, 114 million individuals have been forcibly displaced worldwide, and it is expected that by the end of 2024, 130.8 million will become stateless as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. We are now witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record.
At the same time, the world is in the midst of a technological revolution, which is projected to transform over 1 bn jobs and create 97 million new employment opportunities. With 1.3bn youth currently trying to enter the workforce but lacking the skills needed to enter an increasingly tech-driven labour market, there is an evident mismatch between the skills they are taught in traditional education and the skills they need to excel in the 21st century.
Imagine being forced to flee your home, leaving behind everything you’ve built and worked for, knowing you may never be able to return
Refugees face a myriad of barriers as they try to rebuild their lives in a new country; they are hindered by high unemployment rates and restrictions with regard to travel, education, decent work prospects, finances and home ownership, to name a few. Despite their resilience and determination, the combination of these obstacles can make it difficult for refugees to fully integrate into their new communities and reclaim
the futures they lost.
Children make up less than one-third of the global population, but among the worlds refugees, they account for
The amount of humanitarian aid which is allocated to education
The amount of refugees who live in countries where formal employment and access to decent work is restricted
The number of displaced children enrolled in university
Rapid and widespread digitalisation has changed the nature of work in the 21st century, and digital skills are now regarded as essential for the modern workforce.
As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, the demand for digital skills in the workforce has become more crucial than ever before. From basic computer literacy to advanced programming knowledge, having a strong foundation in digital skills can open up a world of opportunities in various industries. Whether it’s navigating complex software systems, analysing data, or developing innovative solutions, the ability to adapt and thrive in a digital environment is a valuable asset in today’s job market.
The amount of jobs which will require foundational digital skills by 2050
The number of jobs expected to be generated by the digital revolution
The amount of total jobs which will be related to STEM areas by 2050
The amount of job openings in 2021 which required digital literacy
To sustainably address the social and economic challenges caused by both the humanitarian crises and the digital revolution, Phoenix Space is building pathways to future-proof education, upskilling and employment opportunities that prepare displaced and marginalised youth for the ever growing demands of the digital job market.
We believe that this time of transformation provides a unique opportunity for pioneering a new institutional architecture that simultaneously addresses the humanitarian crises and the digital skills gap of the global workforce in a sustainable way.
PHOENIX SPACE CIO is a registered charity in England and Wales, Charity Number: 1206724.
