DOHA: Silatech and the International Youth Foundation (IYF) will hold a three-day conference designed to develop and implement solutions to the region’s growing youth unemployment crisis.
“Arab Youth Employment: Promoting Innovative Solutions to Longstanding Challenges” is expected to draw over 350 delegates from throughout the Arab world, including representatives of NGOs and civil society organisations, policymakers, private sector leaders, researchers and the media to share insights and build partnerships to support Arab youth employment.
Youth unemployment in the Arab countries is the highest of any region in the world, and is growing. The jobless rate among Arab youth has increased from 24 percent in 2009 to 29 percent in 2014, while entrepreneurship has declined over the same period.
Organised by Silatech and hosted by IYF, the conference will be held in Amman from April 28 to 30. This event builds upon the success of the 2013 “Arab Youth & Entrepreneurship” conference in Doha, which brought together delegates from throughout the region to enhance youth entrepreneurship and economic opportunities at the grass-roots level.
The conference features 18 sessions organised by over 20 leading youth-serving organisations around the world. The content will showcase the rich knowledge and innovative approaches being developed throughout the region.
The contributing partners at the conference include the World Bank, the International Labour Organisation, Oasis 500, Tamweelcom, Mowgli, Save the Children, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, Ahead of the Curve, and the Rand Corporation.
Silatech is a regional social initiative that works with partners throughout the Arab world to create jobs and expand economic opportunities for young people. The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is a global leader in youth development focused on education, employment, and citizenship.
“Over the last decade, many initiatives have been introduced throughout the region to fight unemployment and provide opportunities to our youth. Unfortunately, very few of these have made any noticeable impact at a national level,” said Silatech CEO Dr Tarik M Yousef.
He added: “It is now urgent for all of us to learn from each other what types of programmes work best, and then partner with others to replicate these programs, scale them up, and achieve substantial impact at the national and regional levels.”
“While facing great challenges, today’s Arab youth have the enormous potential to boost economic growth in their communities and across the region. IYF looks forward to working with Silatech and many others to ensure millions more Arab youth have the skills and opportunities they need to find success in the workplace, build their own businesses, and contribute positively to society,” said IYF CEO Bill Reese.
The Peninsula
