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MENA Watch: All set for crucial Youth Employment Summit 2024

Youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing problems in the MENA region, with the highest rates in the world averaging around 30%

To address the critical issue of youth unemployment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Casablanca hosted the much-anticipated MENA YES! (Youth Employment Summit) on October 7-8, 2024.

This summit, organised by Education for Employment (EFE), convened over 200 stakeholders from diverse sectors, including government officials, private enterprises, youth organisations, and international entities, united in finding solutions to the region’s staggering unemployment rates.

A Persistent Challenge

Youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing problems in the MENA region, with the highest rates in the world averaging around 30%. For young women, this figure is often double, highlighting a deep gender disparity in access to economic opportunities. Coupled with one of the world’s largest youth populations, the region faces significant risks of social and economic exclusion for its younger generations.

The summit’s goal is to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to close the gap between young people’s skills and the demands of an evolving labour market.

As Andrew Baird, President of EFE, aptly noted, this event offers a “unique opportunity to bring together diverse stakeholders to co-create concrete solutions” for the future of youth employment.

Focus On Actionable Solutions

MENA YES! aims to serve as more than just a dialogue platform. It emphasises practical, solution-focused approaches that can lead to long-term improvements. The event’s sessions will cover a wide range of critical topics, from artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy to women’s empowerment and the rising green job sectors. These are essential areas of focus in equipping young people with the tools and skills to thrive in today’s fast-changing economy.

Another key area of discussion will be mental health and the psychological impact of unemployment on the region’s youth, reflecting a growing recognition of the holistic support required for sustainable development. With interactive workshops and roundtables, the summit aims to generate ideas that translate into real, measurable outcomes.

Importance Of Youth Inclusion

An important hallmark of MENA YES! is its emphasis on including young voices in the decision-making process. Creating relevant, sustainable solutions requires youth participation. The summit recognises that empowering the youth through education, mentorship, and entrepreneurial opportunities is pivotal to the region’s economic progress.

Partners such as Dell Technologies, SAP, Trafigura Foundation, Citi Foundation, and Bank of America have shown their commitment to these objectives, providing resources and support to generate more job opportunities for the MENA region’s youth.

These organisations understand that bridging the gap between education and employment will not only benefit the younger generation but also contribute to the economic vitality of the region.

EFE’s Role And Expectations For The Future

Since its inception in 2006, Education for Employment (EFE) has played a critical role in connecting young people to job opportunities, working with over 4,000 employers and assisting nearly 200,000 youth in finding employment.

Notably, EFE has made significant strides in promoting gender equity, with 57% of its graduates being women. The summit’s broader goals, aimed at laying the foundation for long-term economic and social reform in the region, align with the organisation’s efforts.

The optimism surrounding MENA YES! 2024 is palpable, as participants are eager to contribute to solutions that will reshape the future for young people in the MENA region. We anticipate that the summit’s outcomes will result in policy recommendations, innovative programmes, and tangible actions to address the persistent issue of youth unemployment.

The MENA Yes! Summit represents a crucial turning point for youth employment in the region. By creating platforms for cross-sector collaboration, fostering youth participation, and focusing on actionable outcomes, the summit holds the potential to address the region’s youth unemployment crisis and catalyse sustainable economic development.

With the involvement of high-profile partners and stakeholders, this summit is poised to make a significant impact, not just in creating employment opportunities but also in shaping a more inclusive, resilient future for the next generation in the MENA region. The world will be watching to see how these discussions translate into lasting solutions for one of the region’s most urgent challenges.

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