Laureate Summit on Youth & Jobs Brings Together Leaders from Across Europe

BALTIMORE, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Confronting the serious challenges around youth unemployment in Europe, President Bill Clinton and His Royal Highness the Prince of Asturias addressed more than 200 government officials, business executives, academic leaders and students during a summit at the Universidad Europea in Madrid, Spain. Several European ministers as well as senior multinational business leaders participated in the summit, including:

• Ms. Montserrat Gomendio Kindelan, Secretary of State for Education, Vocational Training and Universities, Spain
• The Honorable Kyriakos Kenevezos, Minister of Education and Culture, Republic of Cyprus
• Ms. Giovanna Melandri, former Italian Minister for Youth and Sports, current President of MAXXI -- National Museum of the 21st Century Arts of Rome
• The Honorable Ruairi Quinn, T.D., Minister for Education and Skills, Ireland
• The Honorable Ursula von der Leyen, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
• Mr. Jonas Prising, President, ManpowerGroup
• Dr. Matthias Afting, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Human Resources and Organization, Vorwerk & Co. KG
• Mr. Luis Palha da Silva, Deputy CEO, Galp Energia
• Mr. Ali Pandir, Turkey Country Head, Fiat/Chrysler

President Clinton noted that the keys to creating jobs are to instill a spirit of innovation and restore hope to the current generation of jobless European youth.

In response to a student question about employment prospects and the uncertainty of career opportunities in her home country, President Clinton said that education is the best way to chart a path toward success. He said, "If you receive a quality education, you can be more flexible in determining your future." 

His Royal Highness the Prince of Asturias also commended those gathered for their serious commitment to a European-wide approach to incentivize job creation. "In order to tackle a problem that directly or indirectly affects societies throughout Europe and in many other parts of the world, we truly need everyone to become involved. It is a collective challenge that needs to be addressed from a wide perspective, as it has been done in this forum, before focusing on each case or particular country," he said.

In addition to the three panel discussions and dialogue with President Clinton, global research firm Millward Brown Optimor announced the findings from a study they conducted which analyzed the connection between employability and education among young adults, ages 21–30 in Europe. 

"It is clear that a key component to turn around Europe lies in higher education," said Dr. Mario Simon, President and Global Chair of Millward Brown Optimor. "Our research shows that university graduates are 12 percent more likely to be employed full-time, earn 40 percent higher salaries than young adults without degrees and be more satisfied with their careers. These are all building blocks toward economic recovery."

The study also uncovered critical findings on how private institutions complement public education in strengthening labor markets, with private university graduates earning up to 29 percent higher salaries and being 11 percent more likely to be employed in full-time positions versus public university graduates.

"We heard today from some of Europe's most forward-looking leaders and are in agreement that there is no such thing as a simple answer to this complex issue," said Douglas L. Becker, Chairman and CEO, Laureate Education, Inc. "We need bold thinking and a spirit of collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure a successful future for young people."

Laureate is doing work around the globe to better understand employment trends and changes in job creation and hiring practices. Laureate is working to find how to construct curriculum and better align it so that students can achieve successful career outcomes. The Universidad Europea has distinguished itself with a strong track record when it comes to the successful employability of its graduates. More than 90 percent of UE graduates are employed within 12 months of graduation. 

About Laureate International Universities
Laureate International Universities is a trusted global leader in providing access to high quality, innovative institutions of higher education. The Laureate International Universities network includes 70 accredited campus­based and online universities. Laureate's more than 780,000 students are part of an academic community that spans 29 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. Laureate universities offer hundreds of undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs in fields including architecture, art, business, culinary arts, design, education, engineering, health sciences, hospitality management, information technology, law and medicine. William J. Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, serves as the Honorary Chancellor of the Laureate International Universities network, offering advice on social responsibility, youth leadership and increasing access to higher education. For more information, visit www.laureate.net.

SOURCE Laureate International Universities