More than 160 young people from across Chile gathered for the Chile 2026 Youth Summit: Jobs of the Future to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of work in a rapidly changing economy.
Organized by the World Bank Group in collaboration with the Federation of Chilean Industry (SOFOFA), the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and América Solidaria, the summit provided a platform for young people to share perspectives on employment, skills development, and emerging workforce trends.
The event brought together representatives from government, business, academia, and civil society to explore how technological innovation, sustainability, and economic transformation are influencing labor markets. Discussions focused on key themes including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, green jobs, water sustainability, mining, and other strategic industries expected to drive future economic growth.
Through interactive workshops, panel discussions, and intergenerational dialogue sessions, participants examined ways to create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable workforce. The summit also highlighted the importance of equipping young people with both technical expertise and human-centered skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability.
Organizers emphasized that youth engagement is essential to addressing future employment challenges and ensuring that workforce policies reflect the realities and aspirations of younger generations. The event encouraged collaboration between education institutions, employers, policymakers, and community organizations to better prepare young people for evolving career opportunities.
The Chile summit forms part of the broader global Youth Summit 2026 initiative under the theme “FutureWorks: Designing Jobs for the Digital Age.” Building on previous regional events, the gathering aimed to strengthen dialogue around youth employment and support the development of innovative solutions for the future of work in Latin America and beyond.
