Context:
Oman has a population of 4.4 million and GDP US$69.8 billion. Omani Youth aging 15 to 25 constitute 35% of the population. While unemployment rate is 17.5%, unemployment among female youth (36.8%) is higher than that among male youth (14.7%). The adjusted net enrolment rate for upper secondary education reached 81.5% in 2011.
In 2013, the National Youth Commission carried out an induction program by conducting in-depth sessions with young people (15 to 39) in six governorates of the Sultanate. Nine themes were included: Educational and recreational, cultural and creative literature, work and economy, sports and entertainment, technical and scientific innovations, religious and moral values, health and social services, law and freedoms media and art.
Implementation of programme/ initiative:
The inductive sessions were implemented by the National Youth Commission and aimed to identify Omani youth aspirations and needs, tailor projects meeting those aspirations, connect youth from different social and economic backgrounds, and active youth talent in programs parallel with the inductive sessions.
Main challenges:
- N/A.
Results achieved:
A total of 900 youth participated in the inductive sessions with an average of 120-150 youth per governorate. Youth participants came from different backgrounds including the government, private sector, public and private university students, owners of youth initiatives, job seekers, youth with disabilities, sports clubs, and NGOs. A total of 447 demands were collected from the six governorates, out of which 100 were repeated in more than one governorate. A total of 274 demands were eventually drawn from the inductive sessions.
Moving Forward:
The National Youth Commission used the demands to design projects and programs addressing youth needs and aspirations, such as National Day of Omani Youth, Capacity Building of talented and creative Omani youth on dialogue, strategic planning, and school to work transition, and We Hear from You Sessions.
Replicability:
- N/A
References:
World Bank, 2016
International Labor Organization, 2016
http://www.nyc.om/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/مؤشرات.pdf
http://www.nyc.om/?page_id=813
Project Details
Date: October 10, 2017