Ministry of Gender partners with UNICEF to launch ‘FunDoo’ webinar series for youth empowerment
Tollea Franco, Commissioner Youth and Children Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and Susan Serumaga, Technology for Development Officer UNICEF (in blue) launch the FunDoo webinar series for young people aimed at addressing evolving job market demands. PHOTO/COURTESY
What you need to know:
As the digital economy continues to evolve, the need for both hard and soft skills has never been more critical
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in collaboration with UNICEF Uganda, has today launched the ‘FunDoo’ webinar series, a new initiative designed to empower young people with the skills needed to succeed in today’s dynamic job market.
As the digital economy continues to evolve, the need for both hard and soft skills has never been more critical. While technical competencies lay the foundation for job performance, soft skills like communication, adaptability, and problem-solving are essential for collaboration and innovation.
At the press launch, Susan Serumaga, Technology for Development Officer at UNICEF, emphasized the importance of this initiative in preparing young people for success. “The FunDoo webinar learning series will provide a platform to discuss best practices, share resources, and explore strategies for empowering youth with vital skills to navigate the modern job market,” she said.
The series will focus on enhancing knowledge and best practices by sharing insights and evidence on empowering youth with the skills necessary for success in life and work. It will also help participants increase their awareness of the essential skills required to thrive in today’s job market, giving them a clear understanding of the 21st-century skills that are crucial for success. Furthermore, the series will provide actionable career insights, offering practical guidance on how to integrate these skills into career planning for long-term success. Lastly, the webinars aim to foster collaboration and lifelong learning by building a dynamic network for knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and continuous skill development.
Tollea Franco, Commissioner for Youth and Children Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, explained the significance of the series: “The FunDoo webinars will facilitate the transfer of soft skills like communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork—skills that are crucial in this ever-changing, interconnected world.”
Emmanuel Yeka, Head of Information Technology at the Ministry, added that the webinar series will address challenges young people face, such as unemployment and a lack of technical skills beyond the classroom.
One participant, Ayebare Denise, a U-reporter who joined FunDoo in 2021, shared her personal experience with the program. “FunDoo helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses, and through it, I found my passion for climate action while pursuing my law degree at Makerere University. I also learned how to relate to people strategically while acquiring valuable 21st-century skills.”
The FunDoo webinar series aims to reach at least one million young people, both in and out of school, between March and August 2025. Webinars will be held at the end of each month and are designed to equip participants with critical skills that will help them excel in the modern job market.
