Mobilizing Youth for a Sustainable Future

The oft-cited quote about our planet is that we have not inherited the land from our parents, we are borrowing it from our children, and they are, in turn, the future borrowers of this earth. Today more than any other time, the social and economic inclusion of youth is central to both the growth and the stability of the Middle East and North African region.

Half of the population in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is under 25 years old, and two-thirds are under the age of 35. They have a challenging time ahead in our region, facing multiple challenges. The most immediate and tangible challenge is employment. A report by the ILO (August 2021) noted that the Arab region registered the highest unemployment levels worldwide. Employment and economic inclusion are, surely, the foremost pressing issues for today’s youth. However, this should not divert attention from an equally pressing, and arguably more complex, issue which is climate change.