Middle East Youth Initiative

Development Packages Must Facilitate Meaningful Economic and Social Change

2011-06-01T17:15:00+00:00

Last week the World Bank announced "up to $6 billion in new Bank support over the next two years for Egypt and Tunisia" to assist in political transitions and economic reform. Shortly after the G-8 Summit at Deauville, France announced the formation of a "Deauville Partnership" and pledged to raise "more than USD 20 billion" over the next two years to strengthen institutional development in Tunisia and Egypt especially as it links to inclusive economic growth and job creation among young people. The Middle East Youth Initiative sat down with Edward Sayre, MEYI's Director of Research and a nonresident fellow at Brookings Institution, to discuss the potential impact of the G-8 and World Bank development packages on private sector development, youth participation in the labor market, and critical issues surrounding educational quality, employment, and social inclusion.

Participation of Youth and Civil Society Key to Ensuring a More Equitable Future for Egypt and the Arab Region

2011-05-30T03:30:00+00:00

In a new commentary, Ehaab Abdou discusses the strength of Egyptian civil society and the need to engage ordinary citizens and CSOs in a strong, inclusive development process in order to live up to the expectations of the region's youth.

How Will Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution Affect the Arab World?

2011-01-24T21:30:00+00:00

Ragui Assaad reflects on what the recent historic events in Tunisia mean for youth in Tunisia, Egypt and the rest of the Arab world. This commentary was originally published by the Brookings Institution on 24 January 2011.

By now, it should be clear to all that Mubarak's time is up

2011-02-01T02:45:00+00:00

Ragui Assaad comments on the events unfolding in Egypt, assessing the legitimacy of Mubarak's offers of reform and argues that the Obama administration should reconsider its hedgy support for Mubarak and 'take a clear position in line with the principles America stands for.' This piece originally aired on Minnesota Public Radio on 31 January 2011.

Is the Arab Authoritarian Bargain Collapsing?

2011-02-09T19:30:00+00:00

Tarik Yousef, Raj Desai, and Anders Olofsgård discuss the authoritarian bargain--"an implicit contract between ruling elites and citizens whereby citizens relinquished political influence in exchange for economic benefits"--highlighting the need for new reforms in the wake of the authoritarian bargain's collapse. This analysis was originally published by Brookings Institution on 09 February 2011.

Authoritarian Bargain Collapses in Middle East

2011-02-01T19:15:00+00:00

Raj Desai assesses the authoritarian bargain in the Middle East, examining the two shocks--economic recession in the 1980s and 1990s, and an unprecedented youth bulge--that brought about its undoing in Egypt and Tunisia. This opinion piece was originally published in Politico on 01 February 2011.

Demographics of Arab Protests

2011-02-14T22:30:00+00:00

The Middle East is currently experiencing an unprecedented youth bulge, the effects of which are being felt in protests and demands for reform across the region. In a recent interview, Ragui Assaad discusses the region's unique demographic situation and ways to transform unrest into economic opportunity. The transcript of this interview was originally published by the Council of Foreign Relations on 14 February 2011.

Unemployment, Young Populace Create Explosive Mix

2011-02-18T20:45:00+00:00

In an interview with All Things Considered host Michelle Norris (NPR), Ragui Assaad highlights the Middle East's youth bulge, the impact of these unemployed youth on the region's current unrest, and the value of creative economic policies designed to harness the energy and economic potential of these restless youth. The audio and transcript of this interview were originally published on NPR on 18 February 2011.

The Whole World Is Watching

2011-04-06T23:45:00+00:00

Edward Sayre and Samantha Constant analyze how the youth bulge in the Middle East and associated pressures in the education and labor markets have triggered recent political events in the region and what governments must do to meet the economic challenges that remain and will remain even in the context of political reforms. This commentary was originally published in the National Journal on February 19, 2011.

Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks Must Be Inclusive

2010-09-30T15:15:00+00:00

In a new opinion piece for The Guardian, Samantha Constant and Edward Sayre argue that finding a way to bring Gaza representatives into the peace negotiations is critical to a viable two-state solution. This article originally appeared in The Guardian on 29 September 2010.

Foreign Marriages: Don't Blame it on the Dowry

2010-09-20T19:30:00+00:00

In a new opinion piece for Gulf News, Paul Dyer examines the role of mahr and wedding celebration costs in shaping marriage decisions among young people. He finds that, for a bride and her family, a groom’s ability and willingness to meet these costs provide a strong signal of his economic standing and commitment. This article originally appeared in Gulf News on 10 September 2010.

Constructing “Life Histories” for Iranian Youth in Transition

2010-06-30T16:45:00+00:00

The Middle East Youth Initiative has released a new study that explores youth transitions in Iran in depth, exploiting longitudinal data to track youth preferences and outcomes as they move from the education system into the labor and marriage markets. Diana Greenwald interviewed coauthor Djavad Salehi-Isfahani to discuss some of the paper’s main findings.

Youth in Focus: Findings from the 2010 Egypt Human Development Report

2010-06-29T15:30:00+00:00

On June 27, 2010, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) released the 2010 Egypt Human Development Report (EHDR) entitled “Youth in Egypt: Building our Future.” On the occasion of the release of the EHDR, Mary Kraetsch spoke with Heba Handoussa, lead author of the EHDR, about the report’s goals and main findings.

Gender, Development and Governance in Yemen, 20 Years On

2010-06-17T16:15:00+00:00

Diana Greenwald interviews Raufa Hassan al-Sharki on the importance of human development and transparent governance in Yemen, with a special focus on the country's young women and girls.

تقييم التحديات التي تواجه شباب الشرق الأوسط: بيانات جديدة و أسئلة جديدة

2010-06-15T20:15:00+00:00

ملحوظة: في محاولة لإلقاء الضوء على التحديات التي تواجه الشباب في الشرق الأوسط، قامت كلٍ من سامنثا كونستنت و ماري كرايتش بإعداد خريطة تفاعلية وصحائف الحقائق التي تعرض الإحصائيات الرئيسية المتعلقة بالشباب في 18 دولة في منطقة الشرق الأوسط. كما تقدمان في المذكرة المرفقة نظرة عامة على ما توصلوا إليه من بيانات و نتائج رئيسية.