This text is part of the special notebook Listening to social causes
The future seems bleak in the eyes of 18-35 year olds, an impression exacerbated by the deterioration of their quality of life. To help them, the Réseau des carrefours jeunesse-emploi du Québec (RCJEQ) wants to modernize.
On the phone, the general director of the RCJEQ, Rudy Humbert, lists the worrying statistics: a quarter of young people have had suicidal thoughts in the last year; half of them experience loneliness, isolation and/or marginalization; there are 10,000 dropouts per year in the province; in Canada, every night, 6,000 to 7,000 young people sleep on the street, which represents 20% of the population of people experiencing homelessness… The list goes on and paints a clear picture of the situation of 18-35 year olds. However, little attention is paid to this segment of the population, believes the director: “Often, during our meetings with people from the public service, we are told: ‘We are happy to speak with youth organizations, we forget that there are young people”. »
What made them fall between the cracks? “The number of young people is increasing, but their demographic weight has decreased. By losing demographic weight, they lost political weight. In addition, the majority of them do not vote. » In short, if the aging of the population regularly makes the headlines – and rightly so – the attention paid to gray heads has had a pernicious effect on younger generations.
This oversight can also be explained by the fact that alarming data is sometimes hidden behind positive figures. An example: the unemployment rate, which remained at 6.6% for Quebec in August, actually stands at 11% for young people. “They are disproportionately affected by the current economic slowdown,” adds Rudy Humbert.
Hang up the young people
Faced with all these pitfalls, many will end up “dropping out socially,” explains the general director. “Half of young people tell me that they no longer have hope in the future of humanity. But they are the ones who are supposed to build the future! They see themselves as if they were on the Titanic which is sinking: as there is nothing to do to save it, all that remains is to play the violin. »
The solution? “We must give them back power over their own lives. » To achieve this, you must first involve them in the conversation, and quickly. “Would it take a youth ministry, like we have a ministry for seniors? he suggests. Is it time for a new youth summit? The last one was already 20 years ago! »
Another priority, according to Mr. Humbert, is to modernize the RCJEQ. “When someone comes to us, our role is to ask them: “What can I do for you today?” We want to ensure that he becomes an actor in his own life and in Quebec society. » The support is intended to direct them in the right direction, whether it is a return to studies, a civic engagement project, or even the development of a business.
This mission is endangered by budget cuts that have affected the RCJEQ in recent years, including the disappearance of certain envelopes intended for particular groups. “We have lost funding for young people neither in employment, nor in studies, nor in training, a situation which affects 200,000 people,” laments the general director. We had a program aimed specifically at them. They are now off the radar. »
This situation is aggravated by the administrative burden, notes Mr. Humbert. “We divided the DNA of the crossroads into four different secretariats or ministries. Each donor has specific reporting, particular indicators and different delivery dates. We must produce three thousand reports each year. » Result: “We spend as much time writing reports saying that we have supported someone as actually supporting them. » He calls for a reform that would reduce this bureaucratic burden.
Young people are the future
If the problems facing young people today deserve our attention, those of tomorrow should not be neglected either, points out the Director General. “We are currently experiencing three transitions: artificial intelligence, which requires developing our digital skills; the environment, which requires having green skills; and the demographic transition. » Indeed, young people will fill 57% of the jobs left vacant by 2030. Taking an interest in the problems of 18-35 year olds means taking an interest in the future of all of society.
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