MAP 10/01/2024

MAP - MENA YES! 2024: Solution-focused Regional Youth Employment Summit to be Held in Casablanca on October 7-8

Casablanca - September 30, 2024 - (MAP) - Casablanca will host MENA YES!, on October 7-8, a regional summit focused on youth employment solutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Organized by Education For Employment (EFE), this summit will bring together over 200 participants, including representatives from the private sector, governments, youth organizations, and international entities, according to a press release from the organizers.

Quoted in the press release, Andrew Baird, President & CEO of Education For Employment (EFE), stated: "MENA YES! 2024 is a unique opportunity to bring together diverse stakeholders to co-create concrete solutions that will enable young people in the MENA region to access a promising professional future. By working hand in hand with the public and private sectors, we can not only bridge the gaps between youth skills and market needs but also build a more inclusive environment where young people can thrive and actively contribute to their country's economy."

A Summit Focused on Concrete Solutions

MENA YES! aims to create a space for cross-sector collaboration where each participant will contribute to developing innovative solutions for youth employment in the MENA region. By actively integrating youth voices, this summit aims to strengthen their inclusion in the labor market and align their skills with business needs, thus promoting a reduction of gaps in various economic sectors.

Themes at the Heart of Regional Issues

The summit program offers interactive sessions, workshops, and roundtables on important themes such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, economic opportunities for women, green and circular jobs, as well as mental health and psychosocial support. These themes are of crucial importance for strengthening youth inclusion and employability in an ever-evolving job market.

Committed Partners for the Future of Youth

The MENA YES! event will build on the commitment of partners such as Dell Technologies, SAP, Trafigura Foundation, Citi Foundation, FHI360, and Bank of America, who actively support efforts to create employment opportunities for young people in the MENA region. This support, combined with the active participation of diverse groups of stakeholders, including youth, will contribute to the development of a concrete agenda that can address regional challenges, particularly skills modernization and adaptation to new economic realities.

Education For Employment (EFE) is a leading non-profit organization in the field of youth employment in the Middle East and North Africa. Since its inception in 2006, EFE has enabled more than 195,000 young people to access meaningful employment and has collaborated with over 4,000 companies to provide them with the talent they need. EFE is also strongly committed to women's empowerment, with 57% of its graduates being young women.