Celebrating Youth Around the World

August 9, 2007—International Youth Day (August 12) recognizes the achievements of young people around the world and strategies to empower youth in the advancement of their societies.

This year, the United Nations is commemorating the day with the theme: Be Seen, Be Heard: Youth Participation for Development.

Twenty-seven percent of the world’s population is between the ages of 10-24. In many countries, young people make up more than half of the population. Because of their numbers, the world’s future depends on the choices made today about how to prepare youth for positive social, economic and political engagement.

Finding a positive voice is often difficult for young people, especially in developing countries, such as Egypt. Young Egyptians, who make up 70 percent of their country’s population, face challenges such as high unemployment and widespread poverty. Traditional institutions in Egypt often lack mechanisms to help youth develop strategies to overcome these barriers.

Youth camp participants engage in group activities including role play.

CEDPA works with Egypt’s National Council for Youth to provide youth with opportunities for positive civic engagement.

Through the Enabling Young People’s Civic Participation in Egypt project, young people are encouraged to participate in their communities and in Egypt’s policy process.

The project began in 2006 and includes week-long leadership camps for youths between the ages of 20-24. These camps engage young women and men in individual and group activities designed to stimulate interest in civic engagement and in political and economic issues affecting their country. They also develop community projects, gain leadership skills, and learn how to maximize their outreach through media.

Once the youth complete their camp, they return to their local communities and begin civic projects, such as litter clean up and anemia awareness. This develops their leadership and visibility as change agents within their communities.

The participants become part of their national and local youth networks which advocate for youth issues, and volunteer skills and services to build their communities.

The project builds on 12 years of CEDPA’s work with Egyptian youth. CEDPA/Egypt improves the health, education and well-being of girls and young women through non-formal education programs and social mobilization efforts to increase women’s political participation and eradicate harmful practices including female genital mutilation. Critical to the success of these efforts is CEDPA’s work to engage boys and young men as key partners in supporting girls’ education, improving family reproductive health and backing women’s increased decision-making roles in communities and nations.

Read more about CEDPA’s work in Egypt.

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