UNFPA and Crowne Plaza join hands to Empower Youth and advocate for gender equality in Lao PDR

Vientiane, Lao PDR – August 29, 2024 – In a landmark event today, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane have renewed their cooperation through a groundbreaking agreement to enhance the empowerment and capacity-building of adolescents and young people across Lao PDR. The partnership was announced at a signing ceremony held at Crowne Plaza Vientiane hotel in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports.

With over 60% of the Lao PDR population under the age of 30, this initiative underscores the critical role young people play as both the present and the future of the nation. The collaboration aims to harness the potential of youth by integrating support from government, development partners, and the private sector.

“Today, we are taking a significant step forward in empowering our youth,” said Dr Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA representative to Lao PDR. “Today’s partnership agreement with Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane jointly with the Ministry of Education & Sports reflects our commitment to fostering youth leadership and socio-economic development in Lao PDR. This initiative is key to empowering young people”. As Lao proverb says, “Young people are the backbone of the nation.”

This multi-sectoral partnership aligns with the 9th National Social Economic Development Plan (NSEDP), the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the Noi Framework 2030, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the 10 year responsible business plan “Journey to tomorrow” of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

Mr. Murali Viswanathan, Cluster General Manager expressed his full support to the Noi framework, saying: “At IHG Hotels giving back to the communities that we are part of; in countries where we operate - is engrained in our ethos. The commitment carries forward with the Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane – which will provide young girls and boys and marginalized youth from rural areas with unique training opportunities in the hospitality sector and create viable employment paths, fostering gender equality as well as quality and timely investments on the young generation in Lao PDR to contribute to the socio-economic development”.

Previously, under the Noi Framework, Crowne Plaza Vientiane supported the Nang Noi girls’ group by providing valuable training in cooking, business setup, and vocational skills. This initiative included partnerships with Pakpasak Technical College, BFL Bank, and the Vientiane Youth Center to offer comprehensive support including financial literacy and sexual reproductive health services.

Lao PDR faces significant challenges, including the highest rates of early marriage (26.6% of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years old are married in Lao PDR) and adolescent childbirth (89 per 1000) in ASEAN, compounded by high school dropout rates. This new collaboration seeks to address these issues by focusing on youth skills development, employment, empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Key components of the partnership include:

• Supporting youth skills development initiatives and creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
• Implementing the ‘Noi’ Friendly Business Criteria to ensure access to healthy food, education, health information, and social protection.
• Coordinating advocacy and communications to promote life skills education, socio-economic participation, and empowerment for marginalized youth.

The partnership will involve training 20 TVET students in hospitality, developing skills in hospitality for 60 youth from rural areas, and supporting the marketing of products made by vulnerable groups, such as handicrafts created by persons with disabilities. It will also include providing trainings on employee wellbeing and supporting international events aimed at promoting the rights and wellbeing of adolescent girls, youth, and women's empowerment.

Mr. Souksamon Saphouvong, Deputy Head of Project Management Division, Planning Department at the Ministry of Education and Sports said: “we believe in youth. They are the future so we stand by them to help them build their skills and believe in themselves. This is a precious occasion to promote the efforts on gender equality and empowerment to implement the Government commitments under the Adolescents and Youth Strategy and the International Conference on Population and Development”

Over the past years, the Noi ecosystem has shed light on the urgent need to invest in adolescents. According to the Labor force survey 2022, 43.519 new job seekers enter the labor market annually in Laos, they are the young generation who require skills, confidence and opportunities now. The Noi framework, endorsed by the Lao Government and supported by civil society, bilaterals, media and private sector, helps adolescent girls, boys and their families support girls to stay in school and be empowered and break the cycle of poverty.

The renewed partnership between UNFPA and Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane represents a major milestone in securing rights and choices for youth in Lao PDR. It fosters an inclusive environment where young people can achieve their full potential, and emphasizes the collective role of all sectors in turning challenges into opportunities.

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About UNFPA The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA works in over 150 countries and territories to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.

About Crowne Plaza Vientiane Crowne Plaza Vientiane is a premier hospitality destination in Lao PDR, known for its commitment to exceptional service and community engagement. Crowne Plaza Vientiane supports various initiatives that contribute to local development and empowerment.

About Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane offers world-class hospitality services and is dedicated to fostering community involvement and support for sustainable development.