Being Young in the Maghreb

This document contains a synthesis of the outcome of research performed on the existence of youth rights among young people aged 15 to 24 in the five countries of the Arab Maghreb Union in the framework of the International Year of Youth 2010-2011. This study entitled “Being young in the Maghreb” was commissioned by the North Africa Bureau of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA/NA) in partnership with the General Secretariat of the Arab Maghreb Union with support from UNICEF and UNESCO. It seeks to understand what North African youth are experiencing and what their hopes are, and what they could contribute to the development and construction of their respective societies.

This study represents the first initiative seeking to present a wide diagnostic of the situation of adolescents and young people in the Maghreb. Combining a quantitative and qualitative approach, it tackles the issues of education, employment, leisure, health, vulnerability and participation of the young, in addition to the question of inter-generational dialogue and youth policies implemented in the region. Conducted according to a participative approach, this study as based on the testimony of young folks themselves, expresses their indignation, their zest for life and hopes of being understood and listened to. In conclusion, it proposes a series of guidelines helping young people to expand their participation in development and procure better implementation of their rights.