The Arab Spring – implications for the youth development agenda

As courageous youth-led revolutions and protest movements continue across the Middle East, the development agenda for the region will see rapidly shifting currents. Silatech gathered international thought-leaders and academics in a forum in Doha, Qatar to discuss the Arab spring and its implications on initiatives that aim to assist in the economic integration of young people throughout the region. The event was an opportunity for specialists in various fields, to explore recent regional dynamics and opportunities to interject efforts for positive development and change.

The two-day forum, July 13 and 14, was hosted by Silatech, a Doha-based innovative initiative that engages private, public and civil society sectors to promote large-scale job creation, entrepreneurship and access to skills development services for young people across the MENA region, gathered esteemed international thought-leaders and academics in Doha, Qatar to discuss the rapidly changing development agenda. During the event, senior officers of Silatech updated participants on recent achievements and upcoming programming in Qatar and throughout the region.

The forum served as a platform to create open dialogue between professional bodies and organizations focused on economic empowerment and development for young Arabs. Over the course of the event, various roundtable discussions examined the remarkable state of transition and turmoil in the Arab world, as well as the social, political, and economic conditions that have given rise to the youth-led upheavals. In the context of these political events, delegates discussed the need for rapid progress towards tangibly improving economic, political and social outcomes for young Arabs.

The forum outcome was incorporated into a report that will be released shortly. The report includes thoughts and recommendations on youth development agenda strategy that will enable organizations and governments to better deliver what young people fundamentally need.

The delegates represented local, regional and international institutions: Dubai School of Government, Silatech, World Bank, League of Arab States, International Labor Organization, Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at American University of Beirut, Ashoka Arab World Foundation, The Syria Development Research Center, American University of Cairo, Middle East Youth Initiative, Brookings Institution, Fikra Research and Consulting, Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, Youth Employment Network, Wolfensohn & Company, and Mercy Corps.

Mr. Khaled Louhichi, director of youth and sports for the League of Arab States, commented on the importance to intensify efforts to study the implications for the youth development agenda. He said at the event: “The League of Arab States made a decision on the level of Foreign Ministers on catalyzing efforts to identify programs and projects, which respond to the aspirations of the masses in freedom and dignity.”

Mr. Louhichi said in a statement: “This forum allowed us to discuss the urgent priorities of the League of Arab States, which are interrelated to young people’s employment issues, interjection of youth in policy change, and promotion of youth-focused organizations.”

Mr. Rick Little, chairman of executive committee at Silatech said in a statement: “The region is marking a new era for young people; it creates a shared responsibility to identify the new demands of young people across the region and apply the change on our development strategies.” Mr. Little added: “As participants in this roundtable, coming from different countries, representing different organizations, and offering different experiences, we all come together because we appreciate that this is a moment of tremendous opportunity for the Arab world.”