About
Our mission is to promote the economic and social inclusion of young people in the Middle East.
Who We Are
The Middle East Youth Initiative (MEYI) was launched by the Wolfensohn Center for Development at the Brookings Institution and the Dubai School of Government in July 2006. Our objective is to accelerate the international community's ability to better understand and respond to the changing needs of young people in the Middle East. By creating an international alliance of academics, policymakers, youth leaders and leading thinkers from the private sector and civil society, we aim to develop and promote a progressive agenda of youth inclusion.
What We Do
The initiative blends activities in an attempt to bridge the divide between thinkers and practitioners and utilizes robust research as a foundation for effective policy and programs. The initiative has three complementary pillars:
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Research and Policy
We advance understanding of economic and social issues to promote solutions for the inclusion of young people through cutting edge research. The main target group is youth 15-29 years old. The research framework focuses on youth making two major transitions to adulthood: education to employment to household formation (marriage and home-ownership). -
Advocacy and Networking
The initiative aspires to be a hub for knowledge and ideas, open to all stakeholders who can make change happen. Strong partnerships with policymakers, government officials, representatives from the private sector and civil society organizations, donors and the media will pioneer forms of dialogue that bridge the divide between ideas and action. By bringing in the voice and the new perspectives of young people, we will revitalize debate on development in the Middle East. -
Practical Action
Outcomes matter. With a focus on areas with the greatest potential for innovation and impact, the initiative will mobilize partners for practical action that can improve young people's lives. The initiative will help develop policies and program interventions which provide youth with skills, expand opportunities for employment and facilitate access to credit, housing and civic participation.
Tarik Yousef interviewed in 'Al-Iktesadeya'
Dr. Tarik Yousef spoke to 'Al-Iktesadeya' newspaper about youth unemployment and the labor market in the Middle East. Dr. Yousef is Dean of the Dubai School of Government and Senior Nonresident Fellow at Brookings' Wolfensohn Center for Development.
MEYI Scholar Ragui Assaad Interviewed in Al-Ahram Weekly
MEYI Scholar Ragui Assaad, author of 'Youth Exclusion in Egypt: In Search of "Second Chances," was interviewed for an article on youth and employment in the recent Al-Ahram Weekly. In "Overqualified and unemployed," (10 - 16 July 2008), Sherine Nasr considers the current crisis of youth joblessness in Egypt, where university graduates face staggering unemployment rates of up to 80%.
MEYI collaborates with PBS NOW documentary on Jordan, Navtej Dhillon interviewed
MEYI Joins Consortium Addressing Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship
The Youth Knowledge Consortium was announced June 2 at the Doha Summit. The Consoritium was established by Silatech, a new initiative led by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned seeking to promote large-scale job creation, entrepreneurship and access to capital and markets for young people.
The Costs of Youth Exclusion in the Middle East
Inclusion: Meeting the 100 Million Youth Challenge
Global Youth Enterprise Conference
Making Cents International will convene youth leaders, practitioners, and other stakeholders for the Global Youth Enterprise Conference September 15-16 in Washington, DC.
"Activating Youth Participation in Arab Development" Summit
The League of Arab States, in collaboration with the UNDP and UNFPA, will convene a meeting in Cairo with youth leaders, representatives of regional and international organizations, and experts on youth issues to enhance the role of youth in achieving comprehensive development in the Arab world.
1001 Rights for Dialogue
The Youth Training Organisation Trajectory@ organizes a training course promoting human rights education and intercultural dialogue among youth leaders, trainers, and educators from both shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
