National Youth Strategy 2035: Creating new social pact with young people, says Deguiche

Tunis: The National Youth Strategy 2035 will help institutionalise youth work and create a new social pact with young people, restoring their confidence in themselves and in their institutions, said Youth and Sports Minister Kamel Deguiche. Speaking at the launch of this strategy, held on Tuesday in La Kasbah, Deguiche indicated that this strategy will help consider the issue of youth in a global and integrated approach, based on coordination and complementarity between the various sectors, ministries, civil society organisations and stakeholders. This strategy, which represents a general framework for youth action, aims to increase the opportunities for young people so as to integrate into working life, develop their capacities, especially those of vulnerable groups, and guarantee the rights of future generations," he pointed out. "It is based on a forward-looking, global and integrated vision and reflects the Tunisian State's willingness to achieve a qualitative and quantitative leap in policies, plans a nd programmes for young people in partnership with the various stakeholders," he added. The minister further indicated that the National Youth Strategy is a commitment to support policies aimed at harnessing the energies of young people to actively participate in the various aspects of political, economic, social, cultural, educational and sporting life, by preparing young leaders and equipping them with the needed knowledge and skills so as to participate in decision-making and to express and defend their priorities and aspirations. Referring to the various challenges facing Tunisian youth, such as the lack of natural resources, environmental and health issues, and adaptation to new economic models, Deguiche indicated that "all development actions emphasise the added value of young people and their role in shaping and creating the future through their ability to create, innovate and renew themselves." In this respect, he highlighted the initiative to create a Youth Advisory Council within the ministry, th at includes young people with expertise in highly specialised fields who contribute to the development of policies and programmes. This experience will be extended to all ministries, in line with the recommendations of the cabinet meeting held last May 7 to discuss the National Youth Strategy, he pointed out. "The National Youth Strategy 2035 will seek to meet the challenges currently facing young people, which are multidimensional and unprecedented, especially in the light of the rapid political, social and economic transformations the world is witnessing," Deguiche. According to him, the greatest challenges are linked to economic and social inclusion, and to the growing disparity between young people's abilities and the opportunities available to them, which leads to a waste of their potential in the process of self-building. These challenges also include young people's access to basic services, as well as developing the education system so that they acquire the skills they need for life and work, espec ially the most vulnerable groups of young people, through training and support. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse