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Iraqi Youth and Arab

Spring

UN Vision

and Way Forward

UN Contribution at Global Level

1985 : 1st International Youth YearInternational Youth Day : 12th August

1994 : Int. Conf. Pop. & Development (Cairo)

“6.13 Countries should aim to meet needs & aspirations of youth, particularly in areas of formal & non formal education, training, employment opportunities, housing & health, thereby ensuring their integration & participation in all spheres of society, including political process & leadership roles”

ICPD Programme of Action 1994

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UN Contribution at Global Level

1998 : International Youth Conference, Lisbon“ A Society that cuts itself from its youth severs its lifetime. It is

condemned to bleed to death “ Kofi Annan, Secretary general

2000 : “World Programme of Action for Youth” : Covering 15 Priority areas

“Education, Employment, Hunger/Poverty, Health, Environment, Drug abuse, Juvenile delinquency, Leisure, Girls & young women, Participation, Globalization, ICT, HIV/AIDS, Youth and conflict, Intergenerational relations”

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UN Contribution at Global Level 2010 : International Youth Year

“ Dialogue & Mutual Understanding ”

2011 : “High Level Meeting of G.A. on Youth” “ Failing to invest in our Youth is a False Economy. …… When

Youth lack opportunity, they are more easily led to crime and violence, to drugs and risky sex, and the slippery slope to the bottom of social scale……” S.G. Ban Ki-Moon

Participants: - 4 Heads of States - 40 Youth Ministers - Several Heads of UN agencies

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Outcomes of 2011 HLM on Youth

Unemployment: Youth are most Dynamic & Innovative segments of populationYouth are Key Human Resource & Demographic Bonus

Youth Participation:Youth Engagement is easier at Local level than at State LevelRole of Youth-led associations to develop a “ Critical Space”

for Democracy & Peace at Grass root levelAdolescent Girls & Young Women : Gender stereotypes that

perpetuate discrimination Iraq UNCT Retreat - November 2011 5

Arab Spring Youth & Reshaping History

Youth – led Arab Spring : Underlying causes Failure of Developmental Programmes “System of Governance” at odds with Democratic

Transformation Weak mechanisms for “Civic participation” and

“Political Representation” Unfulfilled universal “ Aspiration” for “Freedom” High Unemployment among educated youth Conflicts and Emergencies Conflict between “Traditionalism” & “Modernism”

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Arab Spring: Youth Tidal WaveFrom Tunis ……..

- Demographic transition : Large Youth population- “Dignity” Revolution : Personal & national degradation- Loss of Fear : challenging concept of “Power”

…….. To Egypt ……….. - Urban, Middle-Class youth ignited the uprising flame- Escaping conservative environment- With ability to express desire & win support of majority- Participate in building new & Oppression-free Society

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Arab Spring : Factors of Change

- Breaking the Silence : - Youth no Longer afraid

- Actors of Change: - Youth taking charge of their present & Shaping their Future

- Demanding Political Reform :- Youth putting pressure on political structures to change

- Protecting their Nation :- Youth preserving national Treasures & Institutions

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