"Optimism, urgency and a sense of responsibility are sentiments I walk away with. This is our opportunity to take this optimism and try to do something about it." Saeed Al Muntafiq Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East; Chairman, Tatweer; Chairman of the Board, Young Arab Leaders, United Arab Emiratess

Too often in the Middle East and North Africa, societal change has met with resistance, and resistance has quickly devolved into ideological radicalism. For the region to enjoy peace and prosperity in an increasingly interconnected world, it must progress towards openness, tolerance and freedom.

"It is not enough to look over the development indicators each year and to exclaim in surprise at the region's situation and the fact that it ranks among the lowest positions at the international level", said H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai. "We have to arm ourselves with courage and work quickly and seriously, to tackle the reasons that put our region behind the rest of the world and our era".

The Middle East cannot become economically open while remaining socially closed. Most of the region's people are under age of 30, most are female and, increasingly, many are immigrants. Therefore, the economic inclusion and social empowerment of women, youth and those of diverse cultural backgrounds remain vital goals. "We are on the brink of new Middle East - new, young, entrepreneurial, empowered", said Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mubadala Development Company, United Arab Emirates. "The social fabric is changing".

Yet, many changes still need to occur. Open societies begin with open minds. The converse of openness, radical Islam, at times seems ascendant. While some participants drew from Islam's history to prove that the faith can accommodate progressive thought; others called on leaders to resist the lure of religious nationalism. "If society is not secular, it is unhealthy for religion", said David Rosen, President, International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Relations, USA. "If you do not have freedom of choice, then the religion itself is not worth the principles upon which it was founded". Olivier Roy, Senior Researcher, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), France, agreed: "In a pluralistic society, social equality should be based on citizenship".

The economic benefits of inclusive societies are manifest, and the private sector must play an active role in defending pluralism. "Multiculturalism needs more than a nudge, and multinational corporations are well positioned to give a shove", said H.M. Queen Rania of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum. "Doing so is not just morally correct - although it is - but is also profitable".

Business, government and civil society actors must also make fuller use of the region's native labour pool. MENA countries have the world's highest rates of female and youth unemployment. According to an Al Arabiya survey, 71% of Arab youth are forced to look abroad for job opportunities. For the region's women, 40% of whom are illiterate, development indicators have recently inched forward - with the notable exception of Iraq; but retrograde gender attitudes stunt real progress. Still, a few brave women hold out hope - and some already see change.

"If society is not secular, it is unhealthy for religion." David Rosen President, International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Relations, USA

"It's happening so fast, it's breathtaking", said Nimah I. Nawwab, Poet and Writer, Saudi Arabia; Young Global Leader. "Not many people know about it; it is not being reported in the media. But it's happening".

As was the case at the 2006 World Economic Forum on the Middle East, participants expressed consensus that the MENA youth bulge represents the largest challenge - and the biggest hope. 180 million young people trump even the Gulf's hydrocarbon reserves as the region's most impressive - and volatile - resource. "They are the new roots of everything that is growing in the region and we need to involve them in everything we do", said H.R.H. Princess Lolwah Al Faisal, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees and General Supervisor, Effat College, Saudi Arabia. Sadly, Al Faisal added, "young people are looking at death instead of life".

Youth and Opportunity (% of population under 15) Yemen 48.7 West Bank/Gaza 46.1 Iraq 41.4 Saudi Arabia 39.1 Syria 38.3 Jordan 38.0 Oman 37.2 Egypt 35.2 Iran 32.6 Libya 31.3 Lebanon 29.6 Bahrain 9.2 Israel 27.9 Qatar 26.6 Kuwait 26.1 UAE 25.8   Source: The World Bank

The biggest challenge of all will be to fill the predicted deficit of 80-90 million jobs over the next two decades. Increasingly, those young people who have the ability to leave go to the West; those who cannot emigrate are often left in hopeless poverty and explosive frustration. "Young people want to meet their basic needs, like buying a house, getting married: but even this is not being achieved", said Abdullah Al Fouzan, University Professor, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. "We are facing a time bomb".

The World Economic Forum on the Middle East in Jordan yielded several thoughtful strategies - and a pair of royal commitments - to harness the potential of the region's youth. While consensus emerged that regional educational facilities need to be improved and made more business-friendly, many participants called for the next step: connecting young people with jobs that keep them at home.

Rick R. Little, President and Chief Executive Officer, ImagineNations Group, USA, explained one such model in South Africa. There, his organization, through local partners, has set up what he called "one-stop shops" throughout the country, where young people can be advised by a counsellor, and assisted in finding suitable jobs. Young entrepreneurs can even access microcredit. Such a programme, Little said, would be ideal for the Middle East, where a survey showed employment is youth's top concern.

Finally, closing the meeting, Bassem Awadallah, Director of the King's office and Deputy Chairman, King Abdullah II Fund for Development, announced the creation of the King Abdullah II Award for Youth Accomplishment, which the King will first bestow when the Forum returns to the Dead Sea in 2009.

"Optimism, urgency and a sense of responsibility are sentiments I walk away with," concluded meeting Co-Chair Saeed Al Muntafiq, Chairman, Tatweer; Chairman of the Board, Young Arab Leaders, United Arab Emirates. "This is our opportunity to take this optimism and try to do something about it".

Education and Youth

With 180 million youth, the human reserves of the Middle East are even more impressive than the hydrocarbon reserves. Yet, to harness the potential of this resource, leaders stress that considerably greater investment in education and employment opportunities must be made. Two answers to these calls were made during the World Economic Forum on the Middle East at the Dead Sea. The first was the groundbreaking announcement by His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. In a special address to participants, he launched the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, a US$ 10 billion initiative to promote human development and provide hope and opportunity by investing in education and the development of knowledge in the region. The Foundation will source and manage research programmes and centres and provide scholarships, leadership programmes and research grants. "The Foundation's mission is to invest in knowledge and human development focusing specifically on research, education and promoting equal opportunities for the personal growth and success of our youth", said His Highness. The second answer was the creation of the King Abdullah II Award for Youth Achievements in the Arab World. "The award embodies His Majesty King Abdullah Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan's vision to enhance the potentials of the Arab youth and support their innovations, excellence and creativity", a Royal Court statement said. The first award will be presented to the winners at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East in 2009 at the Dead Sea. It will then be awarded on an annual basis. A board of trustees - including Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum; Khalid Toukan, Jordanian Minister of Education, Higher Education and Science Research; Arif Naqvi, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Abraaj Capital; Al Muntafiq, CEO of Tatweer Saeed; and Carly Fiorina, Chairman of the Fiorina Foundation - will determine the winner. Photo: www.pbase.com/forumweb/image/79002979, www.pbase.com/forumweb/image/78973712 OR www.pbase.com/forumweb/image/78973751