arab institute for youth policy making

Arab Institute for Youth Policy Making

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Official Booklet


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(AIYPM)

Working Plan I. Background:

In the light of the recent Arab uprisings which spanned throughout the Arab World, toppling Presidents and overthrowing regimes, it became critical for each and every country to adopt a new approach towards policy making and legislation. Leading a nation is not the sacred privilege of a certain government or party, but as it proved to be during the last years’ revolutions, is a consensual and cooperative effort which includes the vast array of the political and the social spectrum of the nation. Part of the groups, which in the past neglected, has strongly affirmed its say through a massive campaign and an active involvement in the recent uprisings: Youth!

Youth have been side lined in favor of a closed and elitist branch of the Arab society, thus having no say in how the country operates or what the government priorities should be in the different social, economic and political domains.

It is time for youth, however young and inexperienced they are, to expose their ideas and ideals on an open forum, and make from these opinion and recommendations a raw material able to be processed by the authorities in such a way that it becomes politically, socially and financially applicable.

The Arab Institute for Youth Policy Making is a Think Tank which regroups Arab students in and outside the Arab World, a Think Tank with a vision shared by each and every one of us Arabs: Let youth have their say on how The Arab world ought to be shaped and sculpted. The Think Tank is an open forum for discussion, debate and contribution with ideas and recommendation to the different organs of the Arab authorities. The Arab Institute for Youth Policy Making is a true intellectual hub which regroups one of the finest conglomerations of Arab students both in High School and University, a center for creative ideas generation meant to be a landmark in the development of the involvement of youth in Policy making of their nation.

II. Vision:

The Arab Institute for Youth Policy Making holds a reformative vision empowered by a staunch belief that development cannot be achieved without the active involvement of Youth. Our vision and aspiration for the future of The Arab world is to witness the flourishing of a nation following the path of democracy, while strongly preserving the cultural and religious features of the society. This vision is well embodied by the youth who are engaged and actively involved in various forums through their opinions, ideological and political views as well as their ideas of reform and development. Channeling and voicing these opinions, values and ideals through a single platform is what this Think Tank aims


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for in its struggle to shape and sculpt The Arab world through the eyes, voices and actions of its sons and daughters.

III. Goals:

I. Short Term Objectives:

Raise awareness among youth about the importance of policy making and Public Administration

Create a suitable environment for youth discussions on matters of various concerns ranging from politics to economics, as well as social justice and religion

Equip youth who benefit from the Think Tank seminars and workshops with critical thinking and knowledgeable mentoring in various fields

Concentrate youth opinions and ideas in a compiled report issued each 6 months where further recommendations are made to policy makers

Encourage youth to become part of policy making and local affairs management Catalyze a fruitful dialogue between youth and the financial and political elite as a mean of

establishing understanding and building bases for cooperation Offer workshops on civic and political rights to educate youth on the basics of civic and

political activism Facilitate a forum for discussion, criticism and proposals of ideas and opinions online Measure the public tendencies and street opinions on political, social ,financial and religious

matters and create polls to register and record the street pulse for internal and public usage Provide counseling and advice for youth in matters of movements, campaigns and projects

making Train youth on the usage of social media in organizing, mobilizing and operating movements

and campaign within the civil society

II. Long term objectives:

Recruit and train a group of youths active in the domain of politics and economics with

critical thinking and revolutionary ideas Establish the foundations for a more active and involved role of the youth groups in policy

making and affairs management Create a paradigm shift in peoples’ understanding and appreciation of politics and render it a

domain open for everyone eager to contribute and make a change Issue recommendations and reports with description and predictions over issues of critical

importance, making these materials an important reference for policy makers and the authorities

Establish an operating cell: Arab youth institute on foreign policy directed towards the analysis of the Arab foreign policy

Building partnerships with the civil society, existing NGOs and institute as well as partnering with the authorities on various levels

Establish a Research center for youth led investigations based on subjects the members


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are passionate about IV. Yearly Report:

The Think Tank will assume the task of issuing mid-year reports with analysis of national policy making and Arab Foreign policy. The report will bear 4 sections:

1. Politics 2. Economy 3. Civic Society 4. Foreign policy

The sections will each be devoted a part of the report where papers and articles written by the members of the Think Tank will appear. These articles will include polls, charters, analysis and recommendations on specific issues relevant to the section.

The report will enclose a comprehensive study of the national scene and the international arena from a youth perspective, allowing youth concerns and opinions to be voiced and taken into account by relevant authorities, as well as giving the vision of the youth and their predictions for the development of the national scene.

V. Mission statement:

“The Arab Institute for Youth Policy Making makes from youth involvement in public administration and policy making a pillar for social advance and civic prosperity. The Institute’s mission is to use mentorship, enhanced critical thinking and open discussion forums as key approaches to increase youth political and social awareness as well as youth involvement in decision making.

AIYPM aims to sculpt a The Arab world where Youth have their say, aspirations and inspiration voiced for a better future, better governance and better policy making"

VI. Motto:

“Arab Youths of the world, Have your say!”

VII. Logo:


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VIII. Official languages of the Think Tank

English, Arabic

One year sample program:

I. Virtual Open Forum Phase

Weekly articles written by the official members of the Think Tank and written contributions open for public.

Monthly polls on current issues organized by the Think Tank to track the public opinion on key matters

Monthly theme for discussions divided into economic, political and social doors. Each theme is narrowed to a specific subject of discussion where the public contributes with comments, opinions and ideas all referenced in a single open web platform.

Monthly issued question to be answered by video response submitted on YouTube, each video response restricted to a 3 minutes time limit.

II. Yearly Conference Phase

The Arab Institute for Youth Policy Making organizes each summer a conference which lasts for 5 days, organized as a seminar containing each day different speakers and workshops according to the theme of the day.

The conference regroups prominent figures in the Political, Financial, Civic and Leadership fields, allowing the participants in the seminar to benefit from an in depth mentorship from experts.

Organization of the potential AIYPM Summer Conference 2012:

Day 1:

Opening ceremony: presentation of participants, overview of the week schedule and Ice breakers activities followed by:

I. Introduction session with intervention of the Conference organizers presenting the Think Tank, its objectives and vision

II. Speech on Youth Leadership III. A round table with members of the youth movements and activists of the Arab Spring,

National reforms and youth activism

Day 2:

Theme of the Day: Youth Politics

I. Speech by parliamentary representative on Political Islam, the challenges and goals


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of the new Arab governments led by the Islamist parties and the Youth status in the agenda of these new Governments.

II. Question and Answer Session followed by a discussion facilitated by the organizers. III. Speech in the afternoon by Political NGO’s president on the Youth political involvement

and activism, its necessity and consequences in the advance of the Arab political arena

Day 3:

Theme of the day: Business and Youth Entrepreneurship

I. Businessman and start-ups speech on the necessity for competitive and innovative market where youth can be of a priceless necessity due to their creativity in marketing, promoting and branding new products.

II. Question and Answer Session followed by a discussion facilitated by the organizers. III. Workshop on youth Entrepreneurship

Day 4:

Theme of the Day: Civic Society and Social Media

I. Speech on the necessity of youth involvement in the Civic society and the non-governmental sector, and the power of using Social media to pursue this endeavor.

II. Q&A session followed by discussion facilitated by the organizers III. Session on the power of social media and how to start virtual campaigns. IV. Q&A session followed by discussion facilitated by the organizers V. Afternoon session devoted to a Workshop simulation for NGO set up: How to spot the

social issue, how to structure the NGO, how to campaign for it, how to create a mission statement and a logo

Day 5

Theme of the Day: Arab Foreign Policy MUN

The 5th day is organized as an MUN where participants are asked to dress formally. Each delegate is given a specific position or role to represent, spanning from Countries assigned to delegates up to specific figures such as Ambassadors and political Parties’ leaders in connection with the issue who ought to be represented duly by the participants.

The topic of the AIYPM Conference 2012 is as follow:

I. Syrian crisis

The afternoon will be allocated for the closing ceremony which will be structured as follow:

a. Buffet and snacks for the participants b. Reflections on the seminar c. Closing speech by organizers


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IX. Competitive advantage:

What sets the Arab Institute for Youth Policy Making apart is its nature as one of the first think tanks to be established in The Arab world, giving it a sensible edge over the political and youth oriented NGOs already established.

Follows a set of qualifications that proves the AIYPM as one of the pioneers in its field:

I. Pioneers in Think Tanks establishments in The Arab world II. Quality of discussions and reports III. Members with outstanding credentials and qualifications IV. Diversified range of issues debated and analyzed V. Strategic Public administration and relations focus VI. Youth politics, activism and leadership

arab institute for youth policy making

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