The case for investing in young people as part of a national poverty reduction strategy

This publication focuses on national efforts to reduce poverty. It presents seven arguments for why national public policy makers should give more attention to young people, if these efforts are to be successful.

It offers a conceptual framework to work out what arguments and supporting evidence in relation to young people are likely to be most appropriate to apply in the context of developing or refining a national poverty reduction strategy.

The document is based on the following seven arguments:

• young people are due a fair share of resources
• young people are a key focus in the Millennium Development Goals
• economic benefits at macro and micro levels
• young people in poverty as a special case
• long-term benefits: the demographic bonus
• long-term benefits: reduction in the chances of violence and civil disorder.