Global Partners to Convene at MENA YES! to Tackle Youth Unemployment

Rabat – Casablanca will host a pivotal gathering of global and regional policymakers, business leaders, and experts on October 7-8 to address the urgent issue of youth unemployment across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The MENA YES! (Youth Employment Summit), organized by the non-profit Education For Employment (EFE), will bring together over 200 participants from diverse sectors to address the region’s youth unemployment crisis.

Attendees will include representatives from the private sector, government, youth organizations, and international institutions, all working to find collaborative solutions that bridge the gap between young people’s skills and the demands of the job market, the organizers said in a statement.

Andrew Baird, President and CEO of EFE, pointed out the summit’s mission to create “concrete solutions” for youth employment.

“MENA YES! 2024 is a unique opportunity to bring together diverse stakeholders to co-create solutions that will enable young people in the MENA region to access a promising professional future,” he said.

“By working hand in hand with the public and private sectors, we can not only bridge the gaps between youth skills and market needs but also build a more inclusive environment where young people can thrive.”

The MENA region continues to grapple with high youth unemployment, compounded by job shortages and skills mismatches. As a response to this persistent issue in countries across the region, the summit aims to develop strategies that not only tackle these pressing issues but also prepare young people for integration into a rapidly evolving economy.

Attendees will engage in interactive sessions, workshops, and roundtables focused on critical areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, women’s economic empowerment, and the expanding green and circular job sectors.

Meanwhile, discussions will also address mental health and psychosocial support, acknowledging the toll joblessness takes on youth well-being.

Organizers say that the summit is intended to produce actionable outcomes, with youth voices actively involved in decision-making. By aligning the skills of young people with evolving market demands, the summit hopes to generate meaningful employment opportunities and foster economic growth in the region.

MENA YES! has attracted the backing of key partners like Dell Technologies, SAP, Trafigura Foundation, Citi Foundation, FHI360, and Bank of America.

These organizations are investing in regional efforts to boost youth employment by fostering sustainable job opportunities and modernizing the workforce to meet the demands of a changing economy.

Since its founding in 2006, Education For Employment (EFE) has been pivotal in this mission, helping over 195,000 young people secure employment and collaborating with more than 4,000 companies to close skill gaps. Notably, EFE is dedicated to women’s empowerment, with 57% of its graduates being women.

With the summit on the horizon, hopes are high that MENA YES! 2024 will play a key role in establishing lasting solutions to youth unemployment, a persistent barrier to economic growth throughout the region.