Developing Youth Advocates for Employment

The project will begin with the production of two case studies featuring successful youth leadership development programmes from two different countries to serve as a model for the learning and replication that will be piloted in Egypt. The case studies will be developed on the basis of interviews with youth in these two countries that will explore questions like:

• How did you become a leader?
• What lessons have you learned?
• What factors caused you to be in this position?
• What advice would you give to other youth?
• What do you need to be more effective?
• How are you training others for leadership?

The case studies will shape the development of a Youth Employment Country Network in Egypt, led by key youth leaders and housed at the Alexandria Library.In establishing the network, the following will be undertaken:

1. Three workshops for diverse stakeholders to design and build support for youth employment projects and initiatives in Egypt
2. A report entitled The State of Youth Leadership Programs in Egypt - With Future Recommendations that will include a review of the current leadership development training and curricula (including testimonials from youth who have been trained in Egypt); an analysis of what is available and what is needed in the area of youth leadership development and youth employment in Egypt; and a framework for action
3. A National Directory on Youth Employment for Egypt that will identify the resources, training, and other services currently available to youth. The directory will also supply information on government poverty alleviation programmes
4. A brochure and poster set of promotional materials to raise awareness about needs
5. Ten Egyptian youth trained as peer mentors in the areas of entrepreneurial skills, leadership skills, business experience, and business opportunity strategies. Once established, these peer mentors can work in other countries
6. Two Toolkits (in English): How to Develop Youth Leadership for Promoting Employment Activities, and How to Develop National Directories for Youth Employment.

Youth, Economic Development.

There are over one billion young people in the world between the age of 15-24 years. Over 850 million of these live in developing countries where there are few opportunities for productive work. In this spirit, the Alexandria YES will take place in September, 2002 and will mark the launch of the Decade Campaign of Action to promote youth employment. YES 2002 will bring together members of the Global Alliance for Youth Employment, representatives of various sectors of society, and youth from around the world to share ideas and experiences of "what works" in addressing youth employment. A Summit Framework of Action will be developed to guide members of the Global Alliance in implementing strategies to promote youth employment.