Morocco holds youth meetings

2011-05-25
Thousands of youths gathered in the coastal town of Bouznika May 23rd-24th to partake in the first series of national debates aimed at adopting a strategy for Morocco's rising generation.
"The government took responsibility and had a discussion with young people who make up more than 35% of the society," Youth and Sports Minister Moncef Belkhayat said.
"We initiated today a work programme by signing ten significant agreements with some ministries," he added.
According to Belkhayat, the accords envision a mechanism for ensuring social security for youths between ages 18-25. They also provide for creating health centres to tackle youths' problems such as drug addiction and constructing sports stadiums. Furthermore, it was agreed to double the finance ministry's budget allocated for youths for the period 2011-2016, bringing it to one billion dirhams.
"It will help strengthen the infrastructures dedicated to that category such as centres and stadiums for the youth," Belkhayat said.The meetings were attended by members of "political parties, civil society activists, graduates and others," activist Aziz Boukassrine told Magharebia. "They elected 48 young men and women to present questions concerning them to the ministers who attended the debate."
According to February 20 Movement member Mehdi Laimina, the participants in the debates managed to "determine the set of questions to present to ministers".
"I think it is a massive step forward in the government's dealing with the young people," he said, adding that these youths had never expressed themselves in their neighbourhoods or educational organisations.
The change in dealing with young people is a "result of a wave of protests that were led by the February 20 Movement," Laimina argued.
Belkhayat, however, disputed the assertion, telling Magharebia that the ministry "started preparing for the debate 18 months ago".
"It is a government strategy that started before the beginning of the movement’s protests," he said.
According to General Confederation of Moroccan Businesses (CGEM) chief Mohamed Hourani, the debate was marked by "common optimism shared by youths and the government"."The signed agreements have credibility," he added. "The concerned parties must work on bringing these projects to fruition."
"During the debate, we have seen strong expectations of young people, especially with regards to jobs," Employment Minister Jamal Rhmani told Magharebia. "Their proportion of the labour force in 2016 will reach 65%."
Moroccan youths are "aware that the employment market is developing, which requires good education," he added.

By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Bouznika – 25/05/11