Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for Youth in MENA : Policies to Promote Employment Opportunities

Abstract

On January 18, 2011, the Arab
 Development Summit Youth Forum met in Sharm-el-Sheikh,
 Egypt, aiming to provide young Arab leaders and Information
 and Communications Technologies (ICT) entrepreneurs with the
 opportunity for dialogue with Arab decision makers,
 providing recommendations on how to empower youth in Middle
 East and North Africa (MENA) through ICT. Tunisia's
 Jasmine revolution and its aftermath highlighted demand from
 youth for good governance. Access to information, freedom of
 expression and overall economic opportunities, ranked
 highest among the priorities articulated by youth-led Arab
 movements for change. The issue of youth employment is key
 to inclusive development in MENA which has the youngest
 population (average age 23 years) together with the highest
 global youth unemployment rate. While demand for ICT has
 been increasing dramatically, there is a regional youth
 digital divide. Mobile penetration is high but only 1.6
 percent of the population has internet access. Addressing
 challenges on the supply-side and the demand-side can enable
 youth to reap the benefits of ICT.