The Youth Forum in the Arab region - 19 -21 December 2018 Assilah, Morocco - UNFPA Arab States ...
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The Youth Forum in the Arab region 19 -21 December 2018 Assilah, Morocco
Message from the
Regional Director
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Arab States Regional
Office (ASRO) in partnership with the World Organization of the Scout
Movement, and the Mediterranean Forum for Youth - Morocco, organized
the inaugural Youth Forum in the Arab Region, held at the Prince Bandar
Bin Sultan Library and Hassan II international forums centre in Assilah,
Kingdom of Morocco, from 19-21 December 2018.
Aiming to set and advance a youth agenda in the Arab region, and to promote a practical framework
for realising UNSC resolution 2250 on youth, peace and security, the Forum gathered more
than 250 participants comprising young people, ministers, senior officials from Arab governments,
senior United Nations officials, representatives of international agencies, legislators, academics,
researchers, youth development practitioners, young innovators, youth celebrities, artists, and
representatives from civil society as well as youth networks and private sector, media and other
development partners.
Working with the intent of laying down a strong foundation for the forum as the Arab region’s
“Youth Space”, the 2018 inaugural gathering focussed on defining elements of a new paradigm
and narrative on adolescents and youth in the Arab region, with special reference to themes of
innovation, youth, peace and security.
This first ever forum provided an inspiring platform for intense discussions and lively accounts
attesting to the resilience, innovativeness and creativity of young people in the Arab region, with
evenings devoted to music, poetry and the arts. Enthused participants discussed a wide range of
topics and issues including sustainable development, youth, and peace and security initiatives in the
context of helping realise the aspirations and potential of the region’s young women and men. This
report summarizes the Forum’s key messages and proceedings with a view to disseminating them
more widely as a synergistic basis for follow-up implementation and collaborative partnerships.
UNFPA Arab states office initiated the idea of the Youth Forum as a regional space for youth
in the region (including Arabs and non-Arabs), and supported the establishment of the forum
by organizing the inaugural event and by launching the regional framework for Youth, Peace
and Security (YPS). We in UNFPA strongly believe that this initiative should be open to other
partners and agencies interested in helping promote the regional youth agenda in the Arab region.
Moreover, the forum should be led by young people with support from national, regional and
international partners.
The Assilah’s call for action raised the bar in keeping with the expectations expressed as well as
the priorities and interventions the forum articulated. It also called for strengthened and coherent
coordination between national and regional partners to keep youth at the heart of the development
agenda. It called also for a new narrative and paradigm for adolescents and youth with the emphasis
on solutions not just challenges, and it highlighted the need for investment in young people, belief
in their abilities and engaging with them as peace and development agents in both development
and conflict settings.
Luay Shabaneh, PhD
Regional Director
UNFPA Arab States Office (ASRO)
3
CONTENTS
Introduction 6
I. Assilah’s call for action: Key messages from 7
the Youth Forum in the Arab region
A. General messages 7
B. Towards a new paradigm for youth in the region 8
C. Innovation at the service of youth in Arab states 10
D. Youth, peace and security in Arab states 11
II. Sessions and presentations 12
A. Introductory session 13
B. Opening session 13
C. Plenary sessions 13
D. Parallel workshop sessions 17
III. Participants 28
IV. Agenda 29
Introduction
The United Nations Population Fund Arab by bringing together representatives of all
States Regional Office in partnership relevant stakeholders.
with the World Organization of the Scout
Movement, and the Mediterranean Forum The Forum, designed to be the first in a
for Youth, organized the first-ever Youth series of regular (annual or biannual) forum
Forum in the Arab Region, which was held that constitute “The Youth Space” in the
at the Prince Bandar Bin Sultan Library and Arab region, is intended to open horizon for
Hassan II international forums centre in dialogue, debate and tracking development
Assilah, Kingdom of Morocco from 19-21 and implementation of a dynamic youth
December 2018. agenda in the Arab region.
The agenda for this first, 2018 convening
In order to achieve a transformative leap
and qualitative improvement and growth for of the Youth Forum in the Arab region
youth in Arab countries, there is need to build comprised 21 sessions including two
on the overall approach and to develop youth plenary sessions plus a series of interactive
policies and strategies within a framework workshops and marketplace presentations.
that upholds their rights and fulfils their The sessions focused on defining elements
potential as they help optimize national of a new paradigm and narrative on
sustainable development efforts in their adolescents and youth in the region. Themes
respective countries. Such an approach calls were innovation, youth, peace and security
for a dedicated regional space or platform, with the objective of ensuring a strong
creative and effectively dynamic, where young foundation for subsequent convenings of
people can be brought together to meet on a the Forum.
regular basis with concerned decision makers
Participants agreed on several key
and other relevant stakeholders to promote
messages, grouped by issue according to
dialogue and synergies.
session discussions and highlighted in the
In this connection, the Forum’s main Forum outcome summary statement --
objective is to set and advance the youth The Assilah’s Call for Action. This report
agenda while promoting youth, peace and will be widely disseminated to relevant
development in the Arab States. The aim is regional and international fora such as the
a dynamic, rights-based and representative 2019 ECOSOC Youth Forum and the 2019
regional platform that consults, engages EURO-Arab Youth Forum and shared also
and proposes actionable and innovative with different partners such as the Regional
solutions on youth issues and challenges UN Development Group.
6
I. Assilah’s call for action:
Key messages from the Youth Forum in
the Arab region
A. General messages
1. Reaffirm the principle of young people 4. Recognize that today’s generation of
being equal partners by being informed, Arab youth -- one third of the region’s
consulted and empowered to contribute population, a demographic often forming
to the sustainable development of the majority of individual country
their societies through their innovative populations -- is most vulnerable to
approach and proposed solutions to the armed conflicts; and, in this context,
region’s most pressing challenges;
take note of the implications and
2. Emphasize the need for a new positive possible consequences for the region’s
narrative around young people in all peace and security when its youth are
spheres including family, society, politics, faced with increased unemployment,
culture and media in order to promote reduced economic activity and soaring
youth as positive change makers and educational drop-out rates, which,
problem solvers and show how, when combined with an inability to access
equipped with the requisite skills, their information, skills and opportunities,
insights and innovations can help speed only add to the risks associated with
up attainment of SDGs’ and the 2030 illegal migration and violent extremism;
agenda in the Arab region;
5. Emphasize the links between the
3. Express concern about tremendous
challenges faced by young people in international and regional milestones on
the region including lack of adequate youth, peace and security such as UN
employment opportunities; weak Security Council Resolutions 2250, 2419
participation in policy making; and the “Arab Declaration in Support of
inadequate health and education services Joint Effort to Combat Terrorism” that
and limited access to youth friendly was endorsed by the Arab Summit in
health services and to opportunities for 2017; as well as, the subsequent regional,
benefiting from effective essential life sub-regional and national consultations
skills; all of the foregoing compounded on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) in
by the significant impact of regional Arab states since December 2016 as well
conflicts, local terrorism, general as the Regional Strategic Framework on
instability and all forms of irregular/ YPS in Arab states launched during the
illegal migration; Forum;
7
6. Confirm education’s protective and power of choice including reproductive
empowering role for young men and health and rights in all economic, social
women and the key role that educators and political spheres;
and educational institutions play in
addressing the root causes around 10. Emphasize the importance of recognizing
violence, extremism and the risks the role of young people as makers,
associated with irregular and illegal innovators and agents of change so
migration; that governments and communities
provide young people with access to
7. Acknowledge and help realize the opportunities, skills, and information
positive effect of youth entrepreneurship about all matters related to young
in addressing youth unemployment and people’s rights and well-being.
the potential this offers in motivating the
region’s young men and women to set
up social entrepreneurship projects for
rural development and those addressing
social problems in their countries;
8. Reaffirm that youth in the region are a
developmental blessing when adequate
policies are in place that invest in their
capacity and knowledge and seek to
ensure that they are provided with the
rights and space to support developing,
implementing and following up on
national programmes;
9. Confirm the centrality of adolescent
girls and the importance of asset-based
initiatives and programmes to mitigate
the challenges and risks facing girls such
as the harmful practices of FGM and child
marriage and empowering them with the
B. Towards a new paradigm for youth in the region
11. Proposed a new paradigm stressing the but especially where local policy makers
need to value and collaborate with young commit to investing in youth capacities
people by recognising their potential as and skills as the main cornerstone of the
the region’s demographic bulge and so, proposed paradigm;
taking account of and respecting their
concerns and aspirations, seat at them at 13. Ensure commitment by states for a new
the decision making table and not treat social contract with youth enhanced by
them merely as beneficiaries of a process; regular and extensive multi-platform
12. Call for interdependence between dialogue that includes civil society
youth and policy makers at all levels partners;
8
14. Address the youth trust deficit that employment programmes and
exists within states using innovative sustainable volunteerism and internship
approaches such as shadow youth opportunities drawing on university
governments and reports on government and employer accreditation systems
performance by youth to enhance to facilitate youth education-to-
accountability to youth and systematize employment transition;
their contribution in the planning,
19. Call for regional simulation activities and
implementation and monitoring of
incentives to encourage youth grassroots
government plans;
and civic involvement preferably
15. Call for an inclusive new narrative for implemented with university and civil
young people in the region enhanced society organization (CSO) backing
with intergenerational dialogues within and support to better foster community
service and social responsibility values
societies and families promoted by
among Arab youth, especially young
programmes such as positive and
women and rural youth;
inclusive parenting and premarital
counselling.; 20. Affirm the important role of the arts,
media and sports in the region as
16. Enhance participation by young Arab
catalysts for social change and as
men and women in media both as
effective tools to promote peace, youth
active and informed consumers and
civic participation as well as helping
as producers of media and help set
combat all forms of harmful practices
guidelines for Arab media to better reflect against women and girls;
the stories of the youth generation;
21. Propose the development and launch of
17. Stress the importance of educators a regional youth-moderated platform/
and educational institutions adopting knowledge bank that documents ideas,
student-centred approaches and work innovations, initiatives and lessons learnt
with teachers and other education from successful youth initiatives on
professionals towards a more youth- SDGs that can be supported by partners
positive narrative in education; both technically and financially;
18. Confirm the need to maximize youth 22. Lobby to ensure that future sessions
grassroots-level involvement by of the Youth Forum continue to give
promoting social entrepreneurship prominence to the need to reinforce youth
programmes, flexible Arab students’ contributions to SDGs in the region.
9
C. Innovation at the Service of Youth in Arab States
23. Call for development of a regional programmes at girls’ safe spaces and
Artificial Intelligence platform to gather affirmative action programmes at
and analyse Arab Youth sentiments on education institutions to realize Arab
the internet and social media platforms girls’ equity in accessing education,
and act as a repository for Arab youth health, training and employability
voices and concerns and provide services;
feedback to governments with enhanced
27. Denounce all forms of violence against
security mechanisms to ensure user
adolescent girls in the region especially
privacy;
child marriage and female genital
24. Proposed creation of a cadre of Arab mutilation/cutting, citing such harmful
Youth Researchers to research and practices as clear barriers preventing
develop knowledge and advocacy girls from fulfilling their potential;
products about youth priorities and
28. Suggest promoting more youth
spaces based on robust evidence
entrepreneurship in the region as
generated by AI and big data analytics;
follows: a) building a strong ecosystem
25. Urgently address adolescent and youth and enabling environment to encourage
health in the region with emphasis on and support youth enterprises; b)
sexual and reproductive health needs support youth employment through
using innovative approaches such as proactive mechanisms based on age
regionally promoted hot line services and gender and; c) behaviour change
and online platforms paying special campaigns addressing the culture of
attention to youth mental and psycho- work among young people; and, (d)
social wellbeing needs; promote technical and vocational
training specifically designed to respond
26. Promote the importance of the role
to job market needs;
states, families and civil society must
play in ensuring a protective environment 29. Call for regional and country level
for adolescent girls that protects them programs and funds to encourage
from risks while helping them develop youth innovation with focus on young
their skills to realize their potential and women’s projects and young people in
dreams. Also called for assets-based underserved areas;
10D. Youth, Peace and Security in Arab States
30. Roll out regional strategic framework about youth who opted to migrate
for YPS in Arab States by implementing and achieve their dream or those who
projects, initiatives and programmes succeeded while staying in country;
corresponding to the five pillars of
34. Empower the marginalized and most
related UNSC resolutions;
vulnerable social groups, especially
31. Propose launching national dialogue and adolescents, young people, women,
discussions with youth, decision and persons with disabilities, older persons
policy makers (e.g. ministries of youth and migrants, and involve those groups in
and other relevant national ministries) developing economic and social policies
and legislative committees (e.g. led by towards sustainable development and
the parliamentary youth committees) in peace processes;
the region about how to operationalize
35. Take due account of the critical role
the regional strategic framework for YPS
educational institutions play in fostering
and develop national action plans on
values of social cohesion, tolerance and
2250;
acceptance and how they also serve to
32. Call for political commitment to facilitate protect and respond when and where
orderly Arab youth migration, including the region faces waves of violence and
the creation of decent jobs for youth to extremism;
address unemployment, and provision of
36. Promote a more inclusive and enabling
adequate health and protection services
humanitarian and development system
catering to the needs of young men and
and adopt new ways of working that
women on the move;
include young people as equal partners;
33. Intensify efforts to develop information commit to investing in their capacity
and communication campaigns and skills and respond to their needs
correcting misconceptions about especially when affected by crises in the
migration and promote success stories region.
11II. Sessions and presentations
1. In addition to the introductory and opening sessions, the Forum comprised four plenary
sessions and 15 workshop discussions around the three main themes of development,
innovation and peace for youth in the Arab region. The sessions covered the following topics:
Introductory session Introductory session to the Youth Forum in the Arab region
Plenary session I Towards a new paradigm for young people in Arab states
Opening session Opening and launch of the first “Youth Forum in the Arab region” –
welcoming remarks by partners and youth officials
Parallel workshop 1 Reframing perceptions and Building Trust towards a new social contract
between young people and the state
Parallel workshop 2 Elements of the envisaged new and inclusive narrative for young people
in the Arab region
Parallel workshop 3 Effective modalities to better engage youth at grassroots-level
Parallel workshop 4 Role of arts and media in promoting the envisaged new narrative
Parallel workshop 5 Reinforcing concrete contributions of youth to achieving SDGs in their
countries
Plenary session II Innovation at the service of youth in Arab states
Parallel workshop 6 Customizing a Regional Artificial Intelligence-based platform for youth
in Arab states
Parallel workshop 7 Innovation in adolescent/youth health and wellbeing
Parallel workshop 8 New generation of life skills and citizenship education
Parallel workshop 9 What works to fulfil adolescent girls’ potential?
Parallel workshop 10 Youth entrepreneurship and employability
Plenary session III Youth, Peace and Security in Arab states
Parallel workshop 11 Launch of Regional Strategic Framework on Youth, Peace and Security in
Arab states
Parallel workshop 12 Coalitions on Youth, Peace and Security
Parallel workshop 13 Youth in humanitarian settings and fragile contexts
Parallel workshop 14 Youth and Migration
Parallel workshop 15 Role of youth in reinforcing social cohesion and tolerance
Plenary session IV Institutional framework for the Youth Forum in the Arab region
122. The following sections summarize each of youth contributions, while also urging
session and the related topics of discussion. youth to be catalysts for change through
the input they provided decision makers
and to extend those efforts to proposing
solutions to aid states.
A. Introductory session
3. Ms. Nour Al Mahrooqi,
representative from Oman and Mr. Anas
youth
C. Plenary sessions
El Gharbi representative of the Local
Youth Council of Assilah, Morocco, Session I: Towards a new paradigm for
welcomed the Youth Forum participants young people in Arab states
who travelled an average of 15 hours to
5. The panel was moderated by Mr. Samir
attend. The turn out and the enthusiasm
Anouti, Regional Youth Adviser, UNFPA.
of the assembled delegates reflected
Dr. Khaled Louhichi, a specialist on the
palpable excitement and hope plus an
subject matter, outlined the current
affirmation of the Forum’s goals for the
situation of young people in the Arab
role of youth in the Arab region including
States and made the case for a new
a new paradigm for institutionalizing a
paradigm for young people based on
regional youth space and contributing
accountability and, acknowledging what
significantly to the region’s youth agenda.
they had to offer. Dr. Louhichi pointed
out the investment opportunities young
people represent for their countries,
B. Opening session and how it made sense to support and
expand their skills development and to
encourage and ensure that youth played
4. The opening session comprised official a full part in decision making at all
welcoming remarks by Dr. Luay levels. Also on the panel were HE Khaled
Shabaneh, Regional Director, UNFPA Othman Muawiya, Minister of Youth
ASRO; Yassine Isbouia, General and Sports, Sudan, and Elias Hankash,
Coordinator, The Mediterranean Forum member of the Lebanese parliament, who
for Youth – Morocco; HE Mohamed weighed in on the subject of participation
Benaissa, Former Minister of Foreign at the local political level by youth and
Affairs and Mayor of Assilah; Dr. Rachid the need to recognize the invaluable
Renga, Youth and Culture Adviser to the contributions youth can make in finding
Prime Minister, Morocco– as well as local development solutions. The panel’s
youth representatives Ms. Ala Hamdan, two youth representatives – Ms. Inas
social films director from Jordan and Ms. Dajani, Regional Y-PEER Centre, and
Donia Saadaoui, Municipal Councillor Ms. Iman Lhrich, Mediterranean Forum
from Tunisia. Both spoke of how for Youth – stressed the importance of
working with young people could yield bottom-up approaches to development
harmonized solutions to youth issues and youth initiatives in general.
arising in political settings such as
municipalities or at the community level, 6. The main interventions focussed on
as for example changing attitudes to the need to adopt different approaches
and educating people about GBV. They when it comes to youth policies and
urged greater recognition for the value programmes, especially the importance
13of basing them on the principles of equal Oman, the panel featured interventions
partnership, accountability for results, from HE Hassan Mohamed Kamil,
and investing in the potential of Arab Minister of Youth, Djibouti; Ms. Rabiaa
youth in order to reap the benefits of the Najlaoui, Youth Adviser to the President
demographic dividend as well as keeping of the Republic, Tunisia; Dr. Rascha El
in mind that the role youth represents as Ragheb, Executive Director, National
a major actor in achieving sustainable Training Academy, Egypt; Mr. Kareem
development and peace. Hassan, Managing Director, Benaa
Foundation, Egypt; Dr. Marwan Tarazi,
7. Finally, panellists reaffirmed that young Birzeit University, Palestine, and Mr. Amr
people today are well equipped to Dawood, Awarded Social Entrepreneur,
complement state efforts because of Egypt.
their education and their ICT skills. For
this reason, the new paradigm should 9. Other participants included key youth
move away from a traditional top-down and education decision makers in Arab
approach to youth issues and instigate a states who, sharing their experiences and
bottom-up dynamic that introduces new insights, stressed that the onus of serving
modes of partnership and mainstreams young people, capturing their innovations
youth issues across all sectors. and harnessing their potential should not
be assigned solely to youth ministers but
rather is a collective responsibility shared
by governments at large.
10. Two young entrepreneurs detailed
how they used innovative participatory
methods to engage their peers in
development solutions for issues
ranging from water and sanitation, to
upcycling public spaces, protecting
the environment and promoting social
cohesion. Their successes in motivating
young people to be part of the solutions
and making inventive and cost-effective
services available to rural communities
set a remarkable example, well worth
emulating and replicating among Arab
youth and development actors.
11. Speakers shared concerns about the
risks implicit in not taking advantage of
innovation and technology given the huge
Session II: Innovation at the service of
potential of Arab youth to benefit from
youth in Arab states
access to suitably upgraded educational
8. The second day plenary session and training opportunities designed to
centred on the theme of innovation, enhance their abilities and capacity to
entrepreneurship, big data and Artificial cope with changes in the ecosystem
Intelligence. Moderated by Mr. Khaled and market needs. In this context, some
Alharibi, Director of Impact Integrated, participants also warned that a failure
14to direct this youth resource potential the findings of country, regional and
towards rural development and peace sub-regional level consultations with
could put the young at risk of being youth, civil society and UN partners and
mobilized by extremists and radicalized, donor representatives. The Framework
thus becoming an economic burden and provides evidence-based guidance on
a source of unrest for individual states. key strategic YPS interventions as well
as recommended actions to achieve
Session III: Youth, Peace and Security them at country and regional levels.
in Arab states 14. In a fact-filled presentation, Sahar
12. On day three, the panel discussed the Qawasmi of Palestine illustrated how
role of youth in promoting peace and the youth, peace and security agenda
security in Arab states in line with should encompass the impact of armed
international and regional commitments conflicts on young men and women
towards fully engaging young people in the Arab region. She noted how 40
as partners. The panel was moderated percent of the 60 million displaced
by Mr. Mohammad Naciri, Regional people worldwide originate from the
Director, Arab States Regional Office, UN Arab region, mainly Syria and Palestine,
Women. Panel members included Mr. and how more than 7 percent of the
Samir Anouti, Regional Youth Adviser, region’s population live below the
Arab States Regional Office, UNFPA; poverty line and how, in conflict affected
HE Dr. Sahar Qawasmi, member of states such as Iraq that percentage
parliament, Palestine; Mr. Abdel Kader reaches 28 percent. The impact of
El Khissessi, Union for Mediterranean; conflict and poverty on the region’s
Mr. Graziano Tullio, Youth Cooperation youth is typified by the disproportionate
Programme, Council of Europe/North- levels of unemployment among youth,
South Centre; and, Dr. Rachid Renga, in which young women are the more
Youth and Culture Adviser to the Prime vulnerable. The region suffers from the
Minister of Morocco. lowest statistics in gender parity with
the lowest participation of women in
13. The Regional Strategic Framework on both the economic and political spheres:
Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) in Arab 47 percent young female unemployment
states launched during this session is and only 15.2 percent female
intended to demonstrate and foster the representation in parliaments. All this
region’s commitment to youth, peace in a region that accounts for 48% of the
and security. YPS provides a region- world’s proven oil reserves, a region that
appropriate, systematic approach to has increased its arms import by more
achieving the five pillars for action than 103 percent between the periods
related to promoting young people’s 2008-2012 and 2013-2017. Yet the fact
contribution as agents of change to that such economic advantages and this
the maintenance and promotion of scale of security reinforcements is not
peace and security as called for by reflected in the welfare of the region’s
UNSCR 2250 and 2419 as well the Arab young men and women surely indicates
Summit’s Decision 699. The framework the pressing need to prioritize youth
represents the outcome of two years’ within the peace and security agenda.
work kick-started by the 2016 Regional
Consultation and High Level Dialogue 15. The Arab Youth Forum convened shortly
on YPS in Arab states. It encompasses after the 2018 Lisbon Forum on Youth,
15Peace and Security had raised the need Shabaneh, Regional Director, UNFPA
to strengthen youth engagement in ASRO, shared an initial assessment
peace and democratic processes in of lessons learned that touched on
the Euro-Mediterranean region. The successes as well as the logistical
Lisbon’s recommendations were: a) challenges encountered in ensuring
that existing data and information gaps the diversity of youth participants; the
about youth engagement should be quality of contributions by the range
offset by ascertaining just how the of different profiles participating in the
informal and less quantifiable aspects Forum; the engagement and involvement
of youth participation contribute to of partners and experts; the extent
peace and democratic processes and and influence of contributions that
by registering these efforts and their reached beyond the Forum’s content
impact more precisely; b) YPS should (e.g. culture, arts and media exchange
encompass not only the conflict in the and collaboration); and the readiness
Mediterranean region but also other and willingness of decision makers’ to
forms of insecurity in Europe, specifically take on championing the youth agenda
structural and cultural violence and locally and elsewhere.
discrimination against refugees and
migrants; c) national security concerns 17. As to how to proceed by establishing
should also encompass economic a way forward derived from the initial
security, identity and cultural security, Forum, participants suggested: a) youth
issues all responsible actors are becoming a strategic partner in the
obliged to preserve and; d) the inclusion preparation, implementation and follow
of women in peace building should up; b) assigning a single theme to each
neither be understated nor delegated ensuing Forum (e.g. YPS, innovation and
to a single institutional entity since it AI, culture, political participation etc.
is a responsibility for all, with schools and to set up a polling system in order
serving as the primary entry point for to select the theme; c) restructure the
disseminating and making understood Forum to include additional workshops,
the values of peace, dialogue and non- social media exchanges, market place
violence. At the conclusion of the session, exhibits and other alternative spaces
participants were invited to voice their that would enable more interaction
messages and recommendations on and networking; d) elect/nominate/
YPS and to build on the outcomes of the appoint a Youth Forum advisory board
Lisbon Forum. mandated to help plan and organize
future versions of the Forum (members
to be selected on an annual/biannual
Session IV: Institutional framework for basis from among Forum participants
the Youth Forum in the Arab region and; e) develop a robust Youth Forum
follow up mechanism with indicators and
16. The final plenary session was devoted targets in order to ensure that partners
to an open discussion of how the Forum deliver on their commitment to Forum
proceedings, dialogue and exchanges messages, solutions and collaborative
had yielded some guidelines for future projects.
events as well as identifying key
elements and features of the envisaged 18. The inaugural Forum was in many ways
institutional framework for the Youth a trial run designed to capture the strong
Forum in the Arab region. Dr. Luay and timely need to institutionalize and
16regulate space for dialogue among the be forged between young people and
region’s youth. Participants called for the state.
national ownership of Forum outcomes
and suggested a good follow up would 21. Suggested to overcome this trust
be to disseminate outcomes such as deficit and to strengthen community
the Assilah’s appeal for action through development included: a) encouraging
parliamentarians and youth initiatives in dialogue with youth and civil society and
support of advocacy for national youth through the use of new technologies
policies. and platforms; b) implementing social
cohesion programmes and initiatives; c)
19. Looking to the future, the Youth Adviser supporting civic and political education
to the Tunisian President pledged to host programmes for youth to give them
the 2019 edition of Youth Forum in the a greater sense of belonging; d) the
Arab Region while Mr. Elias Hankash, government side to highlight and take
a member of parliament in Lebanon, note of programme successes for
suggested that Lebanon would host the alleviating the suffering of vulnerable
2020 convening of the Forum. groups and; e) to enhance trust in
youth contribution by documenting the
positive impact of youth-led projects
and initiatives.
D. Parallel workshop 22. The new understanding and agreement
sessions concerning rights, responsibilities
and entitlements should also apply to
Parallel workshop 1: Reframing the roles of such stakeholders as civil
perceptions and building trust towards society and the private sector, which
a new social contract between young are often capable of filling in the gaps
people and state and complementing government plans,
thereby augmenting the role of the
20. The session framed the discussions
state. Participants called for increased
around the proposition of a new social
contract between young people and youth participation in planning and
Arab states. It confirmed that the Arab implementation of government plans.
youth trust deficit was the result of
low confidence in political leadership,
possibly due to the absence of
intergenerational dialogue with
youth, the non-existence of spaces
and platforms for youth to assemble
and express themselves and their
concomitant sense of not counting
or belonging. These were among the
factors blamed for decreased political
participation by the young and they
were also cited as an obstacle to be
overcome if a new social contract is to
1723. Participants made clear that the terms of 26. Participants suggested a number of
the new social contract should be based measures to help counter this narrative.
on investing in the capacity of youth Examples included: a) enhancing
to become positive change makers; intergenerational dialogue within the
attention, respect and accountability to family to build trust between young
youth by putting in place mechanisms people and parents and promote
and reporting systems like shadow youth awareness and recognition of the
government; and, increased financial capabilities and contributions the
commitment and budgets specifically younger generation youth can offer;
designated for youth programmes. b) increasing youth participation and
Another proposal was that periodic visibility in media so they can be the
national-level surveys and polls be content-creators describing their
conducted to ascertain youth opinion on ideas and contributions; c) adopt
how state management of affairs should more student-centred approaches in
be implemented as a way of ensuring education by engaging with teachers
greater involvement by youth and other and other education professionals to
concerned community groups. develop a more youth-positive narrative
in education.
Parallel workshop 2: Elements of the 27. Given the role media can play in shaping
how the community perceives youth,
envisaged new and inclusive narrative
participants called for dedicated efforts
for young people in the Arab region
to ensure youth participation in media
24. Participants asserted that current political production and endorsed guidelines to
and media accounts of young people in help promote positive narratives.
the region are often generate a negative
28. In line with human rights principles,
impression, presenting youth either as
participants suggested the new narrative
minors in need of parental or state care
on youth should take account of and
and protection or as troublemakers
respect the diversity and the diverse
contributing to violence and instability
and specific needs of young people
in Arab societies. Participants noted
(i.e. gender/ adolescent girls, religion,
that this problematic narrative is badly
ethnicity, socio-economic status, access
perceived by young people who point to services, and disability including HIV/
out that it stigmatizes them and makes AIDS status). The current narrative,
no allowances for their capabilities, their they said, sometimes portrays youth
diversity, their potential as a societal as a homogeneous group affected by
asset, and that this negativity impedes the same challenges and with similar
their representation at public spaces and abilities. With this in mind, participants
their rights of citizenship. called for regional approaches to help
reform and renew the narrative.
25. The workshop discussion underscored
the fact that current perspectives on
young people within family, society, Parallel workshop 3: Effective
educational institutions, culture, media modalities to better engage youth at
and the political sphere are not conducive grassroots-level
to the proposed new paradigm for
working on youth priorities based on 29. Participants tapped into two levels of
the principles of partnership, capabilities grassroots engagement: the first, the
and accountability. institutional level (local government/
18municipalities, NGOs and CSOs) and short of the desired pro-youth impact
the second, youth themselves. The and in some instances could be deemed
workshop focussed on how to maximize exploitative of young people. To redress
the benefits of youth efforts and their this, they proposed that sustainable
contributions whether derived from volunteerism programmes which have
volunteer activities or civic engagement. an accreditation system in place that
Lack of coordination and complementary tracks volunteer assignments and hours
were cited frequently in discussing the worked in a standard format should
work of institutions (governmental or civil take steps to have such accredited
society), with a number of participants efforts recognized as work experience
pointing out that this lack of synergy is by potential employers. In addition,
sometimes a result of competition for youth volunteers should be encouraged
resources and donor funding. It was also
to take on assignments in remote areas
noted that the lack of dedicated civic
and areas of highest need, and such
educational programmes was chiefly
assignments should be factored into the
responsible for decreased youth civic
accreditation system.
participation and volunteerism in the
region. 33. In the context of promoting regional
experience exchange, participants
30. Participants indicated that current
suggested the use of simulation exercises
modalities of grassroots programming
on civic engagement and citizenship
lack robust monitoring and evaluation
to demonstrate how contributions to
and results reporting systems. Moreover,
social and political change could be
knowledge about existing programmes
implemented by universities and CSOs
and practices in the region is scattered
using the example of youth volunteers
and inaccessible. To overcome this, to promote greater awareness of the
participants recommended setting up values of community service and social
regional knowledge-sharing platforms responsibility.
that would list and catalogue grassroots
youth initiatives.
31. Participants also suggested a need
for unconventional and innovative
approaches to enhance grassroots
engagement, including: a) promoting
social entrepreneurship programmes
that address real concerns of youth such
as unemployment and are capable of
responding to specific local community
needs and; b) facilitating employment
opportunities to help young students
gain more professional experience before
applying for jobs, preferably focussing
on opportunities in underserved
communities.
32. Participants noted that the current mode
of volunteerism favoured by NGOs falls
19Parallel workshop 4: Role of arts and issues like sexual and reproductive health
media in promoting the envisaged new and peace, civic engagement and social
narrative cohesion. They also called for a regional-
level, youth-led arts project where young
34. Renowned regional actors and musicians artists from a variety of fields (theatre,
served as moderators to lead a session music, blogging etc.) could contribute to
notable for its lively discussions as to an inclusive Arab narrative that speaks
how the arts and media could best to their reality, aspirations and dreams
promote a positivist narrative about and help create additional spaces for
Arab youth. Participants included a different art forms.
diverse cross section of young people,
CSOs, decision makers and academia. 37. To help empower Arab youth to occupy
The assembled expertise made for a and make use of the arts and media
rich discussion about media production space, the session recommended: a)
and consumption in the region and the initiatives to support and encourage
resultant impact on young people. At Arab youth to create different art forms
the outset, participants described art as and to generate media products; b)
a powerful, universal language readily programmes to help make young artists
understood by people regardless of age, more aware about issues of intellectual
sex, religion or language and capable of and copyright and to familiarise them
communicating emotions and feelings with and reassure them of their rights
and not just in words. to freedom of speech; c) developing
programmes on arts education and
35. Moderators challenged participants to designating spaces for arts starting out
share their experiences of using media with classes for children; mainstream
and the arts. Respondents cited many issues related to human rights; creating
examples ranging from the use of music spaces and opportunities for regional
for peace and social cohesion among arts and media exchange through
different religious sects in Lebanon, festivals, exhibitions and fora.
through the staging of interactive theatre
among youth networks (Y-PEER) to the
use of music and arts by aspiring youth Parallel workshop 5: Reinforcing
groups to reconnect with their local concrete contributions by youth to
heritage as exemplified by. Jordan’s Rum achieve SDGs in their countries
Band. Participants agreed that art in all
its forms, including music, painting and 38. The session reviewed some of existing
movie production, could play a pivotal regional-level processes in assessing
role in developing a new narrative for the contribution by youth to the
young people in the region because of accelerating action on SDGs. In this
its appeal and ability to reach young connection, participants identified some
people and the fact that it encourages of the region’s problems involving youth
and enables youth to create their own and SDGs, including: a) lack of youth
content and disseminate the results awareness of SDGs and the commitment
widely. of governments as expressed in national
plans for 2030; b) despite the number of
36. Participants endorsed the use of media actors working on SDGs, many of their
and arts as powerful tools to raise initiatives, especially those pertaining to
youth awareness and address the lack youth, lack sufficient sustainability and
of engagement in various sectors and scale to replicate and expand; c) more
20work needs to be done to boost private that current regional surveys on young
sector partnership in SDGs and d) more people may not adequately reflect their
work is needed to contextualize SDG needs, sentiments and opinions and
indicators and targets within the region, suggested that, with increased Arab
specifically in terms of the region’s youth connectivity, there is now an
young men and women. opportunity to capture and categorize
youth needs in real time thereby opening
39. Participants called for: a) a regional the way to advocate more effectively for
youth SDGs platform-cum-knowledge their welfare among policy makers.
bank of SDG initiatives and projects
partners would be willing to support and 41. A feature of the session was a
help implement both technically and presentation was about an existing
financially; b) inform youth of the Arab AI platform (neto.ca). The system
region’s commitment to Agenda 2030 navigates big data to provide evidence-
through formal education (e.g. as part based information by mimicking human
of. school curricula) and informally via logic in large data sorting. It was mooted
out-of- school awareness raising; c) the that the proposed regional AI platform
launch of regional competitions – e.g. use comparison analysis of official and
Arab youth SDGs champions and Arab social media accounts of users from
sustainable cities -- that would generate the region. Also, that it develops tools
interest and momentum about SDGs to capture and monitor data about
among youth and in cities and states; d) topics, programmes or events that are of
allocating the issue of youth and SDGs a interest and relevance and then gather
regular niche on the agenda of all future and review the actual opinions expressed
Youth Forums. of selected population groups. Real
time information and feedback derived
from the platform and its analysis could
support governments and organizations
responsible for pro-youth programmes
and policies and help them adjust
and align their interventions to deal
with real time issues raised by youth
in their social media channels and on
related media platforms. This innovative
approach would also facilitate feedback
on services delivered.
42. Participants welcomed the idea of a
Parallel workshop 6: Customizing a
regional AI platform that would act as a
regional artificial intelligence-based
repository for youth voices and concerns
platform for youth in Arab states
and provide feedback but they expressed
40. The session centred on a panel discussion some reservations and cautioned about
about how advocacy activities can best the issue of user privacy, especially if the
make use of real time and user-generated platform were cloud hosted. As a result,
data available from the Internet and it was suggested that when it comes to
social media platforms to fill the existing providing governments with platform-
information and data gap about Arab derived recommendations measures
young people. Panellists conceded should be taken to ensure exclusive
21access rights and secure protection called for the availability of high quality
mechanisms in respect of the personal health centres and for youth facilities
data of the young people whose opinions like sport centres, which, participants
and voices might be captured by this suggested, could help raise awareness
platform. among the youth in the field of sexual
and reproductive health. Additionally,
43. Participants also noted that if the participants called for greater attention
platform depended solely on social to be paid to youth mental health issues
media accounts it would fail to capture in the region, noting alarming indicators
the opinions of all groups of young that signified the stress, conflict and
people since it would only access publicly social problems being experienced by
published posts and not all social media young men and women which could
posts by Arab youth. In view of this, result in depressions, anxiety disorders
participants suggested increasing the and other mental health conditions.
platform’s data pool so as not to rely
only on public social media posting.
Parallel workshop 8: New generation
of life skills and citizenship education
Parallel workshop 7: Innovation
in adolescents/ youth health and 47. The session reviewed the current status
wellbeing of education in the region that – despite
some good exceptions- was described as
44. Participants discussed the concept of a “failing system” due to its overemphasis
health, taking account of the fact that in on certification rather than actual learning
many instances in the region health is outcomes and skills. Additionally, the
understood and framed as the absence region’s education system is particularly
of disease and not as a state of body, soul suffering from the following challenges:
and mental wellbeing. It was also noted a) high costs incurred by households
that youth in the Arab world do not have due to the reliance on private schools\
access to age- and need- appropriate universities and private lessons; b)
health facilities in addition to the lack corruption in attaining diplomas; c) lack
of information and statistics about both of a mentorship scheme in the learning
sexual and mental health. Also many system and; d) and reduced attention to
noted that. It was also pointed out that students’ skillsets, health and wellbeing
this absence of vital data is due also to including mental health.
social norms and taboos around sexual
and mental health. 48. Participants discussed the bottlenecks
in the region’s educational system in an
45. Suggestions for innovation in adolescent effort to recommend viable solutions.
and youth health and wellbeing included They identified what is missing from
making health information and services today’s educational approach and found
accessible via hotline services and online those to be: a) education as an enabler
platforms. Making it possible to subscribe to social change rather than means to
to the services anonymously would make attaining certifications and social status;
access available to all groups of young b) the system’s ability to reach the most
people without any stigma. in need especially youth in rural areas,
adolescent girls and minority groups;
46. On the issue of equitable access to c) youth engagement in curriculum
health care for youth, participants development and; d) new youth-
22generated innovative tools and pedagogy from economic and social dependency
and; e) approaching national education to responsible and active citizenship –
through multi-sectoral strategies that in short, an educational plan designed
engages the different ministries and to realize and release the so-called
stakeholders. demographic dividend. Additionally,
much greater consideration needs to
49. In light of assessing the educational system be given to the roles of youth and their
and its missing elements, participants organizations in the LSCE reform process
proposed a new learning agenda for the and its implementation.
region; one that is context-specific based
on national situational assessments
of the curriculum including schools Parallel workshop 9: What works to
and teachers’ capacity assessment. In fulfil adolescent Girls’ potential?
addition, the learning agenda should
adopt the approach of the new regional 51. During this session, participants
life skills and citizenship education model discussed the main social norms in
(LSCE) and enhancing it with elements Arab states that prevent or deter young
such as peer to peer education, parents’ girls from reaching their potential, often
involvement in students’ education and leaving them prey to harmful practices
school activities and engaging the media like child marriage and female genital
under an agenda of education for social mutilation/cutting. These “norms” stem
and development change. from the social construction of gender
roles that perpetuate across the board
in different socio-economic, ethnic and
religious segments of society as a whole.
52. Participants agreed that states should do
more to ensure a protective environment
for adolescent girls that protects them
from risk while investing in their skills
to help realize their potential and make
a reality of their aspirations. Such an
environment should provide girls with
equitable access to education, and a
legal framework that punishes parents
50. Recommendations included adopting
who don’t send their girls to school
new approaches to improve the education
and/or deny their daughters the power
system in the Arab region and providing
it with a holistic, lifelong, rights-based of choice. Such an environment should
vision to maximize the potential of young make a point of valuing the role of an
generations with provision for country- educated mother who motivates her
level adaptation and fine tuning. Greater daughter to achieve her dreams at
efforts should be made to improve and school, at work and in the family.
extend competency-based education
and incorporating LSCE employment 53. Participants proposed a series of
concepts in education of LSCE so that programmes to support adolescent girls
young people are better equipped to in the region that would: a) invest in girls’
handle the transitions from childhood to assets (health, social and economic); b)
adulthood, from education to work, and affirmative action programmes to offset
23past discrimination and increase the 56. For young entrepreneurs to flourish,
number of girls enrolled in education and the private sector for one needs to be
training -- especially in rural and remote more supportive of the spirit of youth
areas; additional affirmative action entrepreneurship and innovation and
programmes to be implemented by it should commit to young people
education and employment institutions employability. Civil society organizations
that would take extra steps necessary have a decided role to play in developing
to ensure access for young girls and and supporting decent employment
their mothers to education and schools, programmes for young people and
(suggestions also included building enhancing the capacity of youth in the
girls schools near or in rural areas with field of entrepreneurship Participants
girl populations and helping support stressed the importance of the education
impoverished families to keep their girls system when it comes to preparing
in school. future entrepreneurs with the necessary
technical and soft skills and to come
54. In recognizing the responsibility of up with solutions to the unemployment
governments and civil society to address challenge young men and women face in
and overcome obstacles in the way of the region.
girls fulfilling their educational needs
and realizing their potential, participants 57. To promote more youth entrepreneurship
listed some of the most common in the region, participants suggested the
barriers to advancement faced by girls in following: a) building a strong enabling
the region, citing as the most egregious environment to promote and support
sexual harassment, child marriage and entrepreneurship; b) cultivate youth
other forms of violence against young employment growth through positive
girls. To combat and overcome such discrimination mechanisms based on
practices, participants called for more age and gender; c) organize behaviour
programmes and campaigns to bring change campaigns to address the culture
about behaviour change and cited a need of work among young people and adjust
for more educational programmes on and adapt technical and vocational
sexual health including premarital and training to respond to the needs of the job
positive parenthood for young couples. market; d) encourage youth innovation
with technical and financial support and
focus on young women’s projects and
Parallel workshop 10: Youth on young people in underserved areas
entrepreneurship and employability who lack access to information about
funding opportunities; and e) introduce
55. Discussion focussed on the culture of children at an early age to soft skills
employment in the region and state training in creative innovation.
support in legislative, financial and
technical terms to help establish more
youth-led enterprises and businesses.
Participants agreed that despite a greater
commitment and more resources being
devoted to youth entrepreneurship, even
greater efforts were required to address
and overcome the cultural, legislative,
policy and financial barriers that currently
stand in the way of youthful aspirations.
24Parallel workshop 11: Launch of and allocated funding. These plans could
the regional strategic framework serve as an overall template for of youth
on youth, peace and security in Arab work in the states of the region.
states
58. Discussions focused on UNSC resolution Parallel workshop 12: Coalitions on
2250 (2015) on youth, peace and youth, peace and security
security and subsequent resolution
2419 (2018) on youth in peace building 61. Participants first discussed the gaps,
in the context of the regional strategic challenges and priorities for youth,
framework. The session aimed to peace and security (YPS) work in the
validate and substantiate the framework region. Subsequently, they emphasized
with the backing and support of regional the following issues: a) YPS work in
and country level interventions and the region is primarily focusing on
advocacy actions. education and awareness raising among
community members; b) working on
59. Participants welcomed regional efforts trust-building among local communities
to localize 2250 and other international for peace and security posed challenges
legal instruments on youth, peace and for youth especially when working in
security locally relevant in view of the regions of different population groups/
urgent need to engage young people in ethnicities and languages spoken; c) the
peace building activities rather than be public perception of peace and security
recruited and radicalized by extremist in some countries in the region is
groups. They stressed that the resolution associated with a negative connotation
could provide the umbrella for all national of peace and/or security and d) funding
youth efforts which would require a and access to communities and areas in
concerted drive to persuade government need of such activities in a common issue
actors from the legislative, executive and faced by youth groups and coalitions
judicial branches to agree on national working on YPS in the region.
plans incorporating the 2250 pillars of
participation, protection, prevention, 62. On the top barriers to youth inclusion
and partnership and disengagement and in peace and security decision making,
reintegration. participants voiced the following: a) the
lack of official role for youth for example
60. As to actualizing YPS, participants said in peace processes and if involved they are
it was time to move from discussions of invited as observers; b) absence of a public
the concept to implementation. Projects, mechanism for youth voices to be heard
initiatives and programmes furthering in national dialogue; c) the prevalence
the five commitment areas spelled out in of hate speech and radicalization among
the resolution should get underway. This some youth groups and; d) the region’s
could best be done by launching a series climate of fear from terrorism which
of national dialogues involving youth and, affects the continuity of programmes and
for example, relevant national ministries interventions organized by youth.
dealing with youth issues plus legislative
committees such as youth-orientated 63. After exchanging the views of youth
parliamentary committees. Working work in peace and security in Arab
together they could help operationalize States; participants called for a regional
the resolution, develop a national plan for coalition on youth, peace and security
2250 complete with identified partners where the membership is open to all
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