Question: What are the Efforts to Reduce Middle East Youth Unemployment?
The Middle East has been facing a steep rise in youth unemployment, in part due to the challenging economic conditions in the region. Despite the region’s immense wealth, it has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, with young people particularly affected. This situation has been further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, with millions of job losses across the region. In response to this alarming trend, various initiatives have been implemented in an attempt to reduce youth unemployment in the Middle East.
One of the most notable initiatives is the Abu Dhabi Youth Hub, an ambitious project established in 2015 by the Abu Dhabi government. The hub is designed to create jobs and economic opportunities for young people in the emirate. It functions as an incubator for innovative projects, offering mentorship, business advice, and financial support to start-up companies. In addition, the hub provides training and professional development programs to help young people develop the skills necessary to succeed in the job market.
Another example is the “Youth Employment Program”, launched in 2016 by the International Labor Organization (ILO). This program aims to create employment opportunities for young people in the Middle East by providing job training and job placement services. It also works to improve access to quality education and vocational training, and promotes entrepreneurship and self-employment.
In addition, the World Bank has invested heavily in youth-focused initiatives in the Middle East. For instance, the bank has provided funding for skills development programs in Jordan, Tunisia, and other countries in the region. It has also supported the establishment of start-up incubators and business accelerators to help young entrepreneurs launch new businesses.
Finally, there are a variety of private sector initiatives that have been implemented in the Middle East to reduce youth unemployment. For example, the Dubai-based start-up accelerator, “Hatch”, has been helping young entrepreneurs launch their own businesses. Meanwhile, the “Injaz” program, run by the Jordan-based non-profit organization, “Youth in Action”, is helping young people acquire the skills they need to find employment.
Overall, these initiatives are helping to reduce youth unemployment in the Middle East, but much more needs to be done. Governments and private sector organizations must continue to invest in programs that promote job creation, skills development, and entrepreneurship. By doing so, they can create more opportunities for young people in the region, and equip them with the skills and resources they need to succeed in the job market.