Microsoft has published a new report by the International Youth Foundation that outlines the challenges facing youth around the world. The Opportunity for Action report describes an opportunity divide among the global youth population of 1.2 billion, the largest in history. The unemployment rate for youth is currently 12.7 percent, more than double the six percent global average for unemployment as a whole. Education is a major point in this divide: in the United States, it is estimated that 62 percent of the workforce will require some college education, yet today, 16 percent of American youth ages 18-24 fail to complete even high school. Microsoft is working with governments, non profits, industry colleagues, educators, and youth themselves through a series of upcoming conferences and events to develop new plans to improve youth access to education and skills training.

The Toronto Sustainability Speaker Series continues tomorrow with the latest in its series of events. Dr. Blair F