1. Iraqi Youth and Arab Spring
UN Vision
and Way Forward

2. UN Contribution at Global Level
1985 : 1st International Youth Year
International Youth Day : 12th August
1994 : Int. Conf. Pop. & Development (Cairo)
“6.13 Countries should aim to meet needs & aspirations of youth, particularly in areas of formal & non formal education, training, employment opportunities, housing & health, thereby ensuring their integration & participation in all spheres of society, including political process & leadership roles”
ICPD Programme of Action 1994 2

3. UN Contribution at Global Level
1998 : International Youth Conference, Lisbon
“ A Society that cuts itself from its youth severs its lifetime. It is condemned to bleed to death “ Kofi Annan, Secretary general
2000 : “World Programme of Action for Youth” : Covering 15 Priority areas
“Education, Employment, Hunger/Poverty, Health, Environment, Drug abuse, Juvenile delinquency, Leisure, Girls & young women, Participation, Globalization, ICT, HIV/AIDS, Youth and conflict, Intergenerational relations” 3

4. UN Contribution at Global Level
2010 : International Youth Year
“ Dialogue & Mutual Understanding ”
2011 : “High Level Meeting of G.A. on Youth”
“ Failing to invest in our Youth is a False Economy. …… When Youth lack opportunity, they are more easily led to crime and violence, to drugs and risky sex, and the slippery slope to the bottom of social scale……” S.G. Ban Ki-Moon
Participants: Heads of States
- 40 Youth Ministers
- Several Heads of UN agencies 4

5. Outcomes of 2011 HLM on Youth
Unemployment:
Youth are most Dynamic & Innovative segments of population
Youth are Key Human Resource & Demographic Bonus
Youth Participation:
Youth Engagement is easier at Local level than at State Level
Role of Youth-led associations to develop a “ Critical Space” for Democracy & Peace at Grass root level
Adolescent Girls & Young Women : Gender stereotypes that perpetuate discrimination
Iraq UNCT Retreat - November 2011 5

6. Youth & Reshaping History
Arab Spring
Youth & Reshaping History

7. Youth – led Arab Spring : Underlying causes
Failure of Developmental Programmes
“System of Governance” at odds with Democratic Transformation
Weak mechanisms for “Civic participation” and “Political Representation”
Unfulfilled universal “ Aspiration” for “Freedom”
High Unemployment among educated youth
Conflicts and Emergencies
Conflict between “Traditionalism” & “Modernism” 7

8. Arab Spring: Youth Tidal Wave From Tunis ……..
Demographic transition : Large Youth population
“Dignity” Revolution : Personal & national degradation
Loss of Fear : challenging concept of “Power”
…….. To Egypt ………..
Urban, Middle-Class youth ignited the uprising flame
Escaping conservative environment
With ability to express desire & win support of majority
Participate in building new & Oppression-free Society 8

9. Arab Spring : Factors of Change
Breaking the Silence :
Youth no Longer afraid
Actors of Change:
Youth taking charge of their present & Shaping their Future
Demanding Political Reform :
Youth putting pressure on political structures to change
Protecting their Nation :
Youth preserving national Treasures & Institutions 9