Lima, Feb. 09 (ANDINA).- The first session of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EULAC) Forum on Social Cohesion began today at Swissotel in Lima’s San Isidro district.

The EU-LAC Forum on Social Cohesion "Promoting Decent Work for young people: new skills for new jobs” was opened last night by Peruvian President Alan Garcia and will run through Wednesday, February 10.

The first session is entitled "Setting the scene: The impact of the global crisis and recovery on labour markets in Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe – how does it affect employment opportunities for young people?"

Given the reduced number of job openings in the economic downturn, people now finishing their education risk facing unemployment and inactivity spells, which may
damage their employability even after recovery.

In the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, exit strategies are established and implemented to combat this situation.

During this session, an exchange of experiences and views between EU and Latin America and the Caribbean on the impact of the crisis on employment opportunities of young people could take place, as well as an exchange on possible exit strategies (policies and programmes) for this.

(END) FPQ/EEP