The Social Protection & Labor Anchor (HDNSP) and the MENA Human Development Group (MNSHD) organized this one-day workshop at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the workshop was threefold: To take stock of the Bank’s current activities in the region; To bring in external partners active in youth employment across the region and encourage dialogue and knowledge sharing across different active agencies in the area; and To provide guidance to Bank operations in the region on successful approaches and policies that have been tried out or that need to be further tested.
Regional speakers, complemented by invited presentations of speakers from international organizations covered the following topics: Youth employment challenges: View from the World Bank New perspectives from external partners Measuring results How to make the labor market better integrate youth? Policy reform and lessons from Egypt and OECD How to better prepare new entrants Panel: Youth employment a key to advance opportunities and development in the Arab World
Agenda & Presentations (in agenda order)  Agenda (24kb pdf)
A Framework of Policy Research: The Middle East Youth Initiative, Wolfensohn Center for Development (239kb pdf) by Djavad Salehi-Isfahani Promoting Youth Inclusion in the Middle East: Towards A Framework for Policy Research (188kb pdf) by Djavad Salehi-Isfahani World Bank Youth Employment Workshop: EPL and Youth Employment in Spain (109kb pdf) by Glenda Quintini Indicators of the School to Work Transition (101kb pdf) by Niall O’Higgins Assessing the Effect of SHABAB’s Youth Programs in Syria (783kb pdf) by Nader Kabbani and Leen Al-Habash How to Make the Labor Market Better Integrate Youth: Lessons From Egypt - Part 1 (1.3mb pdf) by Ragui Assaad How to Make the Labor Market Better Integrate Youth: Lessons From Egypt - Part 2 (1.3mb pdf) by Ragui Assaad World Bank Youth Employment Workshop: OECD Jobs for Youth Review (374kb pdf) by Glenda Quintini Skills Supply and Demand in MENA (652kb pdf) by Mourad Ezzine Transition From Education to Work: An ETF Innovation and Learning Project (199kb pdf) by Siria Taurelli Education and Employment Alliances (826kb pdf) by Awais Sufi
Background of the Youth Employment Workshop
In many countries youth face significant difficulties in their transition to work. Some begin working too early, others cannot enter the work force, and still others get stuck in low productivity work. According to various indicators of youth outcomes in the labor market, countries in the MENA region have the most difficulties in integrating young men and women in the labor market. This, at a time when the region could reap the benefits of bigger and better educated youth cohorts. As part of an emphasis on encouraging human capital investment and employment, the World Bank focus on youth employment is gaining momentum. This focus was highlighted by the publication of the World Development Report 2007 and responds to strong demand from many countries for policies and best practice on how to address youth employment issues. Furthermore, the new World Bank priority to advance opportunity and development in the Arab World holds a promise of increased commitment to the region over the next years. |
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