Youth Development in the ESCWA Region - Statistical Profiles, National Strategies and Success Stories

Youth in the Arab countries are the source of wealth and the pillar for development. They represent a great potential for the present and future of society. The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) has focused its work for the biennium 2010-2011 on emphasizing to member countries the importance of designing national policies for youth under the framework of the World Programme of Action for Youth. In that context, ESCWA is pursuing two tracks: one is promoting the World Programme of Action for Youth which is a major step forward at the level of designing policies targeted at youth; the other is enhancing national capacities of member countries by raising awareness of their staff on their role in policymaking and enabling them technically and practically to formulate policies which respond to the youth needs and take into consideration all youth groups and their social components. This booklet is produced by the Population and Social Development Section of ESCWA Social Development Division in celebration of the 2010 International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. It highlights the youth statistical profiles and national strategies in each member country and presents success stories achieved in member countries in the area of launching and implementing national programmes and projects for youth development and empowerment. The booklet concludes with a summary of the project prepared by ESCWA in response to the World Programme of Action for Youth.