Unemployment is a critical area of study for policy analysts and policymakers as it indicates the health of the labor market and the economy in general. Young people in several countries face an uphill battle as they enter the labor force and forge their path to becoming productive contributors to the economy. These challenges in transitioning to employment have long‐lasting consequences not only on young people themselves but also on their families and communities. This talk compares issue of youth unemployment and policy responses in a developed country (South Korea) and a developing one (Philippines).

Video of Maria Angela Zafra's presentation on 06/24/19 at East-West Center:

Maria Angela Zafra is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Strategia Development Research Institute, Inc., a non-profit research organization based in the Philippines that focuses on providing policy research, capacity building, and technical assistance in various social and economic development areas. She is also a professor in the graduate program of the School of Business and Governance at the Ateneo de Davao University. She is currently a POSCO Fellow in the East-West Center’s Research Program. Most recently, she completed a postgraduate certificate in public policy at the University of Waikato in New Zealand as a New Zealand ASEAN Scholar. She has completed many research projects and has written numerous case studies for government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, private sector corporations, and business schools. Her research interests include inclusive business models, entrepreneurship, tourism, policy and the sustainable development goals.

Unemployment is a critical area of study for policy analysts and policymakers as it indicates the health of the labor market and the economy in general. Young people in several countries face an uphill battle as they enter the labor force and forge their path to becoming productive contributors to the economy. These challenges in transitioning to employment have long‐lasting consequences not only on young people themselves but also on their families and communities. This talk compares issue of youth unemployment and policy responses in a developed country (South Korea) and a developing one (Philippines).

Video of Maria Angela Zafra's presentation on 06/24/19 at East-West Center:

Maria Angela Zafra is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Strategia Development Research Institute, Inc., a non-profit research organization based in the Philippines that focuses on providing policy research, capacity building, and technical assistance in various social and economic development areas. She is also a professor in the graduate program of the School of Business and Governance at the Ateneo de Davao University. She is currently a POSCO Fellow in the East-West Center’s Research Program. Most recently, she completed a postgraduate certificate in public policy at the University of Waikato in New Zealand as a New Zealand ASEAN Scholar. She has completed many research projects and has written numerous case studies for government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, private sector corporations, and business schools. Her research interests include inclusive business models, entrepreneurship, tourism, policy and the sustainable development goals.