Mercosur Human Development report presents young people as means and end of development. The idea of youth is not only related to people between 15 and 29 years old, but also to a social and cultural concept that identifies specific characteristics which change according to different social and historical backgrounds. That is why, the present generation is called “techno-sociability generation”.

In summary, this report studies and analyzes the “techno-sociability generation” cultural platform; exclusion, inequality and poverty problems; and possible ways for the young to be, individually and collectively, actors of development. The MHDR intends to answer specific questions such as How do young people understand their citizen rights?  How do they exercise them? What kind of actions, from public policies, are carried out in order to settle them? Answers to these questions, allow dealing with the main concern of the Report: make a balance of Mercosur youth and develop public policies proposals for expanding young people’s capabilities. The MHDR covers four research areas: 1) socioeconomic issues, 2) demographic issues, 3) social and cultural issues, 4) public policies. This Report was coordinated by Fernando Calderón and developed by a group of consultants and specialists from the four countries of Mercosur. Besides, specialists on specific topics, political advisors and academicians joined this assignment. Several tools in the research process were used, such as, surveys; focal groups; statistical research; Deep interviews with specialists, members of civil society and youth public policy managers; academic forums; meetings with politicians; interviews with young leaders, artists, among others.