Human dignity core value in relationship between sustainability and development — Prince Hassan

AMMAN — Enhancing the efficiency of educational systems in Arab countries and creating a better synergy between educational outcomes and labour market needs are central to prevent the “lost generation” phenomenon, experts agreed on Tuesday.

Speaking at the opening of the Arab Thought Forum’s (ATF) seventh youth conference, experts were united on the need for further cooperation among Arab countries, particularly in the form of economic integration, to provide more sustainable development opportunities for the region’s youth.

HRH Prince Hassan, chairman of the ATF, highlighted human dignity as the core value in the relationship between sustainability and development, noting that, with the destruction of most schools in war-torn countries, more must be done to guarantee decent lives for the younger generation.

He suggested the establishment of vocational training schools for young refugees in host countries to provide them with professional skills, along with enhanced productivity, consequently leading to a change in the perception of a refugee.

“We need a collective effort that re-establishes human communication among us,” he said.  

The prince noted that culture is a form of preventive security, and a pillar of human solidarity’s ethics.

He added that the launch of the ATF’s Arab Cultural Charter last month was a reiteration of the need to develop Arab culture in a manner that serves the vision of renaissance of Arab countries.

The forum’s Secretary General Mohammad Abu Hammour said the conference, gathering under the theme “Education, Creativity and Investment: Towards a Unified Arab Vision”, was part of a series of biennial conferences started in 2004.

He noted that the two-day conference covers several issues of relevance to young people in the region, including education, creativity, participation, entrepreneurship, social and economic cohesion and investment, adding that it incorporates several workshops.

He stated that modernised learning methods and better matching between learning outcomes and the labour market’s needs were of the utmost importance in order to reduce unemployment rates in a region where the bulk of the population is made up of young people.

Abu Hammour added that increasing inter-Arab trade, which currently stands at 12 per cent of all Arab trade, will enhance social and economic development across the region.

In a region torn apart by armed conflicts and wars, young Arabs are in desperate need  ofpositive and motivational thinking, as well as exposure to success stories that will bring them hope and help them envision a better future, he noted.  

Bahraini Sheikh Khalid Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, deputy chairman of the ATF’s Board of Trustees and executive director of Isa Cultural Centre in Manama, said social media platforms, which have been used effectively to spread negative ideologies, must be utilised to spread positive messages.

Sheikh Khalid added that young Arabs must be involved in using these outlets to instill constructive national and religious values, as well as for educational ends, noting that the exclusion of young people from planning and implementing development plans has had a negative impact on their self-perception and social roles.  

Lebanese Nizar Younes, another ATF member, highlighted the need for all pan-Arab projects to spread the value of diversity, noting that many political systems that have emerged in the region over the past 100 years intentionally fed sub-identities to break down social fabrics. 

Speaking on behalf of young participants, Malak Akeily highlighted young people’s need to employ the industrial and technical revolutions to create businesses and services with added value, noting that governments must support such efforts through business incubators and the equal enforcement of laws.

She called for the establishment of an Arab development bank to provide information and statistics needed to enhance inter-Arab economic cooperation.

On Wednesday, participants will take part in field visits to entrepreneurial development projects focused on refugees and host communities, including projects by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation, Caritas Jordan and Care International.