Leadership. Youth. Development.
Youth in the Middle East & North Africa region are faced with a variety of daily struggles, from a lack of clean, fresh water in countries like Palestine, to high unemployment rates in Egypt, to complicated ethnic and religious divisions in Lebanon. Youth have begun gathering together to discuss these issues collectively, and to seek out solutions that will create positive change in their communities in the long-run. Technology has often fostered their enthusiasm and ideas. However, youth continually lack mainstream presence and support to participate in decision-making processes, and maintain continuity for initiatives. To be effective, youth need particular and targeted support. How have you managed to combat some of the obstacles present in your society? What does it mean to be a young leader in our times? How can you ensure that no voices are left unheard in a country’s quest for development? What can technology provide as solutions to some of the key development issues? This contest seeks to primarily look at youth, leadership, and development issues in the Middle East & North Africa region; however, submissions from around the world are encouraged. Quote to Ponder: “Most of the time, I find people talking about youth leadership as something that's nice and cute. But, it's not. It's urgent… If we are all going to make it through the next 5-100 years, it will be because young people reclaim their ability to act and to lead. We simply cannot afford a global culture of bored youth with extended adolescences. Young people around the world will be increasingly called upon to play important roles in providing education and health care as well as restoring the environment. I've learned that youth leadership is not a matter of building capacity for tomorrow, but a matter of survival for us all today". - Terri Willard, IISD and TIG Advisory Board member ** The best posters submitted by November 5th, will be eligible for showcasing at the World Summit on the Information Society in November, and viewed by thousands of people! However, the contest will remain open until November 31st. **