Young Professionals can be defined as an individual aged 21 to 40 in their early to middle careers. They are skilled, connected, passionate and make up a very sizable global demographic, running into the hundreds of millions. They have moved beyond the title of “youth” and are now effectively part of the establishment, connected through the organisations that employ them, and the improved opportun
ities to engage in various democratic processes. They are more receptive to new ideas and actual change. Young Professionals are ideally placed to influence and capable of driving current and future change in the world. IYPF exists to help Young Professionals realise this potential, to take advantage of this position, and to eventually help them take their place as the world leaders of tomorrow. IYPF was formed in 2001 to meet a need at the time to create an organisation whose goal was to produce a global community of Young Professionals creating a better world for current and future generations through local and global action. IYPF is a professional focused organisation that seeks to:
- Highlight the powerful position and influence Young Professionals have both inside corporations and through government
- Encourage Young Professionals to actively help make a difference
- Improve the capacity of Young Professionals making a difference through information, knowledge, & connectivity
According to the IYPF 2014-2016 Strategy, the key areas of work are: social entrepreneurship, sustainable development, value-added labor, poverty alleviation, promotion of democracy and participation, as well as open-source cooperatives
