The State of the Muslim Youth – Annual Report 2011 Prepared for: Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) Prepared by: Ali Dinsmoor, Bryan Isom, Diego Senior Advisor: Ambassador Rafat Mahdi May 13, 2011 Graduate Program In International Affairs, New School Practicum in International Affairs Final Project

Introduction Recent Uprisings – Youth Issues: new priority for Arab States – Re assessment of Muslim Values in ordinary people – Inclusion of further factors when measuring Development – Changing role of Information Communication Technologies – Age Standard for Muslim Youth

Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) -OIC System and members -OIC Charter -10 Year Plan of Action Introduction

Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) -OIC System and members -OIC Charter -10 Year Plan of Action Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC or ‘’The Forum’’) -Objectives and Members -Muslim Youth Population

Introduction Purpose of Study – Increment of ICYF-DC Participation – Initiation of yearly reports Methodology – 57 Country Profiles – 35 Case Studies – 10 areas for Challenges – 41 Recommendations

Challenges – Rule of law, human rights and protection of youth – Role of Information Communication Technologies – Armed conflicts, trafficking, refugees and IDPs – Climate change, environmental sustainability, and natural disaster reduction – Leadership development and political participation – Political and religious plurality: combating fundamentalism and Islamophobia

Challenges In Depth: – Poverty and hunger – Gender equality and empowerment – Education – Health

Poverty and Hunger Muslim-majority countries are among the poorest in the world, with a median GDP per capita of $4,000 Food security Agricultural Youth

Education Enrollment in secondary, tertiary, and higher education Access Quality Vocational training Literacy rates

Health Access and practitioners Lack of information about prevention and treatment Diseases: polio, malaria, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, HIV/AIDS.

Gender Empowerment and Equality Long-standing practices with bias against women The Strategic Action Plan of ICYF-DC and the OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women (OPAAW) Social and economic constraints

Gender Empowerment and Equality OIC recognizes lack of equality and fundamental rights for women and that they are subjected to violence and discrimination in many countries. Many girls and young women experience inequality of gender roles, income, and education. Early and secondary education.

Recommendations Gender – Increase educational access of females to secondary, tertiary and higher education levels – Educate population on Women’s rights granted under Islamic law.

Recommendations Gender – Increase access to sexual and reproductive health services and education.

Recommendations Poverty Reduction and Employment – Develop employment strategies that are self supporting. – Impart relevant pastoral or agricultural information to areas with large rural populations.

Recommendations Education – Assess regional employment needs and offer vocational training.

Recommendations Education – Adopt policies and programs that encourage participation

Recommendations Health – Increase sector capacity structures – Focus on preventive measures

Recommendations Health – Enact national health policies and strategies with input of international organizations, local NGOs, and the communities

Recommendations General – Standardize birth registrations and citizenship requirements to include all segments of society – Adopt a uniform definition of what age groups constitute ‘youth’

Thank you