IYF Interviewed on National Public Radio: Program Spotlights Youth-Led Uprisings in Arab World

The International Youth Foundation’s Vice President of Work Programs Awais Sufi and IYF Board Member Raghda El Ebrashi helped lead a lively and far-ranging discussion around events unfolding across the Arab region that was broadcast on the internationally syndicated public radio program, “To The Point.”

The demographics of the Middle East and North African region, where a huge cohort of young people are both economically and politically marginalized, was a central theme of the hour-long program. Jack A. Goldstone, Professor at the George Mason School of Public Policy, noted that there has been a dramatic surge in the number of young people in their teens and twenties across the region, which has meant a near doubling of the youth sector in countries like Egypt and Libya over the past few years. “It’s a perfect storm,” said Goldstone, adding that many of these young people have high expectations and blame the government when they can’t find work.

When asked whether she believes the situation will continue to improve in  Egypt, Raghda El Ebrashi, who joined the broadcast from Cairo, declared her optimism that progress will be made. “The government wants to calm everyone down; but we don’t want to calm down, we want to win our future,” she said.  “We will protest peacefully until all of our demands are met – including the lifting of the emergency order, the creation of a new constitution and fair elections for president and the people’s assembly. It will take time,” El Ebrashi acknowledged, “but we believe it will happen.”

Mr. Sufi was asked how organizations like IYF that are working in the region ensure they can develop effective programs that are not weakened by local corruption or ineffective institutions. “We focus heavily on promoting a dialogue among the different public, private and civil society sectors which are supporting young people,” said Sufi. “We then assess youth needs together and capitalize on our collective understanding of what challenges should be addressed; and work with local industries to train young people in the right skills, so they can be successful in the 21st century job market.” He explained that IYF also seeks out organizations and youth change-makers who have earned the trust of the local community. Mr. Sufi underscored that when young people are able to get jobs and improve conditions in their communities, they become huge assets that can help spur the growth and revitalization of their countries.

IYF is currently implementing programs that promote youth livelihoods, leadership and citizenship initiatives in Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Morocco.

Click here for the entire recording of “To the Point” program, broadcast live on February 25, 2011.