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 Journey
‘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
Experts Convene to Discuss Social Entrepreneurship and Social Investment in the Middle East
MEYI Youth Ambassador Attends Secretary Clinton's Town Hall in Jeddah
Ehaab Abdou Speaks at Harvard on His Experience as a Social Entrepreneur
Djavad Salehi-Isfahani presents at Harvard University's Arab Weekend
Social Entrepreneurship Roundtables in the Middle East
MEYI Advisor Ehaab Abdou Speaks at USAID-Georgetown Social Entrepreneurship Event
2009 International Youth Day Focuses on Challenge of Sustainability
Taqeem: Evaluating Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Initiatives for Impact
U.S.-Saudi Women’s Forum on Social Entrepreneurship Concludes
The Center for Women’s Leadership at Babson and The Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College partnered with two renowned global organizations - Dar Al Hekma College in Saudi Arabia and ICF International - to deliver The U.S.-Saudi Women’s Forum on Social Entrepreneurship July 13 through July 24, 2009 at Babson College in Wellesley, MA, USA.
Youth Exclusion in the West Bank and Gaza Strip: The Impact of Social, Economic and Political Forces
Location: West Bank and Gaza
Type: Working Paper
Generation in Waiting: The Unfulfilled Promise of Young People in the Middle East
Location: Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East, Morocco, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen
Type: Book
Stalled Youth Transitions in the Middle East: A Framework for Policy Reform
Djavad Salehi-Isfahani and Navtej Dhillon present a framework for policymakers to improve youth outcomes by addressing institutional distortions across sectors: from the education system to the employment, housing, and credit markets.
Location: Middle East
Type: Working Paper
Social Exclusion: Comparative Analysis of Europe and Middle East Youth
Youth Exclusion in Egypt: In Search of "Second Chances"
Location: Egypt
Type: Working Paper
API's 9th International Conference on "Women and Youth in Arab Development"
One Year After Gaza: Securing the Future for Young Palestinians
Fulfilling the Promise of Young People in the Middle East
Forum for the Future 2009
6th UNESCO Youth Forum
XXVI IUSSP International Population Conference
Application Deadline for the Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship
SkillsInvest Forum - Growth through Education in the Arab World
Young Arab Leaders Annual Forum
Hosted under the patronage of General Michel Sleiman, President of Lebanon, the Young Arab Leaders (YAL) Annual Forum took place in Beirut from May 1 to 3. The Forum addressed key areas in youth development such as education, employment opportunities for Arab youth, leadership skills development, and entrepreneurship.
Call for Applications for YouthActionNet Global Fellowships
YouthActionNet, a program of the International Youth Foundation, is now accepting applications from exceptional young social entrepreneurs for its Global Fellowship program. Fellows will attend a seven-day leadership retreat in November 2009 and will have access to skills building, networking, and advocacy opportunities throughout the year.



