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Civic Participation

The Challenge

Despite wide-spread misconceptions, the majority of youth in the Middle East, if given the chance, are more interested in contributing to their society and future than being involved in extreme behavior.  Young men and women in the region are expecting to exert greater influence in shaping their societies. Yet there are too few formal avenues and institutions for youth to expand their voice so that their activism may positively impact their societies. The challenge remains with Middle East countries to provide an enabling environment for young people to give voice and actively participate in economic, political and social affairs.

The Opportunity

Young people are at the heart of a process of political change and debate that now defines the region. They are emerging as agents of change in some countries which are moving towards more participatory forms of government. Through the expansion of civil society and the rise of local social and environmental movements, young men and women can be mobilized to exert greater influence in shaping their societies positively.

A Fact

A survey with a nationally representative sample of 2,400 Egyptian youth showed that 67 percent were never involved in any school activities. Only 13 percent of the respondents did some kind of volunteer work.


             

 

  Personal Journeys - The Story of  A Young Egyptian Woman

Source: Waleed Nassar, Madeena360‘Ola a 28 year old vibrant and passionate personality grew up in Cairo and, majored in Business Administration at Ain Shams University. “I chose to major in business and management because I had a firm belief that what this country lacked was a strong sense of execution and implementation.”   Read more 

 

 


 



Public Event at Brookings on Middle East Youth Inclusion

7 Jan 2008
The Middle East Youth Initiative is a public briefing on January 7, 2:30 - 5:00, in the Falk Auditorium at the Brookings Institution, Washington DC.
Social Exclusion: Comparative Analysis of Europe and Middle East Youth
12 Dec 2007, Hilary Silver
It is the intersection of youth with other dimensions of disadvantage that makes social exclusion a useful framework for analysis.
Youth Exclusion in Egypt: In Search of "Second Chances"
12 Dec 2007, Ragui Assad and Ghada Barsoum
The challenge of youth exclusion in Egypt is multidimensional; despite progress on some fronts, serious challenges remain for young people.
American Economic Association Annual Meeting
January 4 - 6, 2008
New Orleans, United States
Public Event at Brookings on Middle East Youth Inclusion
7 January 2008
Washington DC, USA
The Middle East Youth Initiative is a public briefing on January 7, 2:30 - 5:00, in the Falk Auditorium at the Brookings Institution, Washington DC.