By Diane Mirelle Escobedo Celis 

Youth Advisory Group (GAJ) GOYN-CDMX

For years we've been told that young people are "the future." However, my own experience shows that We are not waiting for that future to arriveWe are the active present, the energy already driving real transformations in our communities and in how we understand work. In Mexico City, we live in a time when the world of work is full of challenges: precarious employment, inequality, informality, but also opportunities to imagine new solutions. And there we are, the youth, participating not only to find a job, but to transform workspaces and, at the same time, to influence the processes that determine life in our city.

Talking about youth and work doesn't just mean looking at unemployment figures or job vacancies. It means talking about impact, purpose, and creativityIn my experience as a young activist and member of collectives, I have seen that we are not just looking for financial income: we want decent jobsopportunities to learn, develop, and contribute something valuable to society. We want work to be a tool for to drive real transformations in our communities.

In Mexico City I have seen how more and more young people are deciding to start businesses, organize ourselves into cooperatives, or form cultural, environmental, and technological collectivesThese projects not only generate employment, but also create participatory spaces where our voices matter. This trend confirms that young people not only want to integrate into the labor market; they also want to influence its design, in the public policies that regulate it and in the way opportunities are created.

My involvement in social activism has been fundamental to understanding this reality. From a young age, through my work in my collective, I have been deeply involved in social activism. MvC, as part of the GAJ (Goyn CDMX) and how Junior Achievement Mexico AlumniI have seen that youth work is not limited to formal employment: it is also in the community leadership, in the management of social projects, in the organization of events that highlight our demands, and in the creation of collaborative networks.

Thanks to these experiences I have learned that Social impact is also a form of workIt requires time, preparation, coordination, and collective effort. For example, when working on projects with young people from different neighborhoods and communities, we have developed training workshops, cultural activities, and spaces for dialogue that strengthen skills, build confidence, and open opportunities for civic participation. These processes have shown that youth work not only generates income but also community networks that transform the present and prepare for the future.

One of the aspects that motivates me most is seeing how young people from very different backgrounds, from those who are studying and looking for their first job to those who face more vulnerable conditions, have managed weaving support and collaboration networksWe don't just compete: we share experiences, demand better working conditions, strengthen our collective voice, and create alliances with institutions, companies, and local governments. This spirit of cooperation is redefining the labor ecosystem and makes it clear that the Youth engagement is not just about protest; it's also about proposals, creativity, and action..

However, discussing youth employment in Mexico involves acknowledging the challenges that persist: informal employmentThe lack of access to social security, gender gaps, territorial inequalities, and the difficulty of obtaining a first job. In my participation in advocacy projects, I have learned that, faced with these challenges, the response of young people has not been resignation, but rather... innovationI have seen young people start businesses with social and environmental impact, prioritizing collective well-being over profitability, and others organize to defend labor rights, strengthen the social economy, and demand fairer conditions.

My experience as a young person involved in social impact processes has allowed me to confirm that the true potential of our generation lies in break the mold, think big and build inclusive and sustainable solutionsFrom the groups I belong to, I have learned that work can and should go beyond an economic activity: it is also citizen participation, community building and the exercise of rights.

Every workshop we organize, every community fair, or every social impact project I participate in reaffirms my conviction that Investing in young people is not a favor, but an investment in a fairer, more creative, and more sustainable city.And every space in which we have a voice allows us to demonstrate that we are ready to participate, not only as beneficiaries of programs, but as designers of public policies, leaders of productive projects, and representatives of our communities.

That is why I firmly believe that we, the youth, must occupy decision-making spacesIt is not enough to demand change; we must also take responsibility for helping to design and implement it. My experience with youth groups and programs has taught me that when a group of young people manages to sit down at the negotiating table, they bring not only their demands but also innovative proposals, energy, and commitment.

In every youth group, in every social enterprise, and in every support network, I see more than just effort: I see hope and real possibilities for transforming our city.Because when young people transform work, we also transform the present and sow a future that belongs to us.

Mexico City needs our voices, our ideas, and our strength. And we, as young people, need to continue believing that building is possible. fairer, more dignified and meaningful workplacesThe transformation has already begun: it has a youthful face and voice. Every community workshop, every small business committed to sustainable practices, every advocacy project in neighborhoods or communities is evidence that change is not empty rhetoric, but a reality underway.

The world of work we are building is more inclusive and participatory. It recognizes diversity, integrates technologies responsibly, and understands that collective well-being is as important as individual success. We know the challenges are great: youth unemployment, precarious work, inequality, but we also know that Our capacity to organize ourselves, have an impact, and propose solutions is even greater..

The challenge we now face is to remain steadfast in building a labor ecosystem that leaves no one behind, that recognizes youthful talent in all its forms—artistic, scientific, technical, and social—and that guarantees dignified conditions for its development. This requires strengthen public policies for first-time employment, ongoing training, the circular economy, technological innovation with social responsibility, and the inclusion of women and diverse groups.

As part of this generation, I believe the key lies in not to give up our voice or our creativityWe cannot wait for others to decide for us: it is time to occupy spaces of participation and demonstrate that young people do not just want jobs; we want to be part of the decisions that define how work is organized and where the development of our city is headed.

Ultimately, work is much more than a means of subsistence. It is a space where we exercise our citizenship, where we generate impact, and where we can drive real and tangible change. Every step we take in that direction strengthens not only our generation but also those to come.

The change has already begun. He has young hands, fresh ideas, and a deep sense of social responsibility. We, the youth, are not only building our present: we are laying the foundations for a future that will be more just, inclusive, and sustainable for all of Mexico.