YEDI an initiative to save the Yemeni youth [Archives:2005/858/Business & Economy]
By Nadia al-Sakkaf
Yemen Times Staff
Yemen is a country characterised by its young population. This means that a great percentage of its population (above 60%) are between the ages of 15 – 45. Consequently, the unemployment rate of this productive age group is higher than 30% in Yemen, an issue along with the increase in poverty (40% of the population below the food poverty line) is an increasing threat to development and stability of this country.
“What is more dangerous than an idle angry young person who does not have even his basic needs covered?!” Commented Ms. Intilaq al-Mutwakil head of Girls World Communication Centre (GWCC) and co-organiser of the Youth Economic Development Initiative (YEDI) during the first meeting for the advisory board of the.
YEDI is a project created by CHF International and GWCC have realised the critical trend at which Yemeni youth are going and decided to carry out an economic initiative in which skills of youth between 18 and 25 years old are enhanced and made inline with the current market demands so as to increase their opportunities of getting jobs. In addition to providing training, the YEDI connects those candidates with the private sector through arranging internships for them in the various specialisations. And in order for this to happen in an efficient manner, the initiative has an advisory board of the various private sector organisations interested in promoting youth. This board was divided into three groups, planning, execution and market placement.
Faraj al-Matari YEDI Programs coordinator & consultant says about this initiative: “CHF International's mission is to be a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low- and moderate-income communities around the world, helping them to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions. It has various programs around the world concerning on development and fighting poverty. The YEDI program in Yemen comes under the “Investment in Youth” objective of CHF. We work to develop employment opportunities, training and other catalysts for youth civil participation and education.”
The program believes that young people can make important contributions toward building peaceful and stable societies in conflict-affected areas. Conversely, when faced with a lack of economic and socio-political opportunities, young people can turn to adverse behaviours.
CHF International delivers tangible results while giving young people the opportunity to participate in community-based processes that encourage participation and leadership in civic and economic life.
Our youth projects are completed in partnership with a broad range of community leaders from different backgrounds and revolve around three major themes:
– Employment opportunities
– Life-building skills and vocational training
– Education and civic participation
CHF International has adopted youth programming into its existing country programs, including Bolivia, Serbia, Mali, Uzbekistan, South Africa, and West Bank/Gaza.
Ms. Qabool al-Mutwakil manager of the GWCC in Sana'a stresses on the importance of including young women in this initiative. And this is why the GWCC is promoting this initiative. “The Girls World Communication Centre was the first centre of its kind established in Yemen as an NGO in January 1998. It's mandate is to promote education and awareness for girls and provide opportunities for them through training and job placements. The centre targets girls starting from high school and even working women who want to improve their skills. We have a library and internet facilities to keep the students in touch with the developments around the world. The YEDI for us is another step in the right direction and we hope that we achieve our goals.”
Yemen's program:
Funded by the Middle Eastern Partnership Initiative (MEPI), CHF International/Yemen's Youth Economic Development Initiative (YEDI) aims to revitalize and stabilize the economic and social circumstances of Yemeni youth (men and women between the ages 18-25) and increasing their employment opportunities by: 1) developing the necessary skills of young men and women to succeed in business and entrepreneurship activities, promoting the development of employable skills, facilitate the growth and development of micro enterprises and, enhancing the quality of life of youth in Yemen through training and equipping them with the needed tools and skills to compete in the employment market.
Operating in, and around, the Yemeni Capital, Sana'a, CHF/YEDI staff members have established a Business Enterprise Center (BEC) through which Yemeni youth will gain access to trainings, and resources to entrepreneurship and vocational skills. The BEC will serve as a hub where youth and women can connect and liaise with successful business owners and trainers.
A Business Advisory Council (BAC), comprised of leading business owners, young professionals, women's and youth organizations, community leaders and local government bodies had been established to provide advice concerning the skill development needs of businesses in Yemen, ensure demand-driven and responsive services that meet the needs of all stakeholders. The BAC brings together interested groups/peoples in order to share ideas concerning business practices and skill needs and generate ideas from other Middle Eastern countries where the business sector is more developed and developed countries such as the United States in order to advise YEDI and inform business of best practices.
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