Author
Ronald G. Sultana
Institution
University of Malta
Discipline/Approach...
Abstract
It has been stated that the world is faced with a global challenge. As the Arab Spring has been shown, youths in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are keen to make a mark, and despite the internal conflicts and contests for power and influence, many young leaders are hoping to establish new forms of social cohesion which could lead to peace and prosperity within a globalised, interconnected world. This paper focuses on the relationship between Arab youth and society, namely the difficult transition between formal education and employment. Drawing on, among other sources, a comparative study carried out among eight Arab States, the role which is guided by the study of career guidance. This is followed by a case study of Palestine where, despite very challenging and difficult political and economic circumstances, significant and promising efforts have been made to help young people develop the life skills needed to engage with schooling in ways that do not only enhance learning, but also facilitate access to work and to self-employment. The paper argues that it can not possibly be expected to solve the disconnect between education and work, it has a role to play in enhancing learning, in support of transitions, and thus in social and economic development goals. It is frequently mentioned that the Arab “world” faces a very different demographic challenge from that of many countries in the Northern Hemisphere. As the Arab Spring has shown, young people in the region covering the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are keen to make their voices heard, and despite internal conflicts and power and influence struggles, many young leaders have the hope of creating new forms of social cohesion that can bring peace and prosperity to a globalized and interconnected world. This article focuses on one aspect of the relationship between Arab youth and society, namely the difficult transition between formal education and employment. Based on inter alia a comparative study in eight Arab states, the author examines the potential role of career guidance in this transition process. This review is followed by a case study on Palestine which, in spite of particularly complex and difficult political and economic circumstances, has made significant and promising efforts to help young people acquire the practical skills necessary to engage in schooling, which not only promotes learning but also facilitates access at work and self-employment. The author concludes that while career guidance can not in any way bridge the gap between schooling and work, it certainly has a role to play in valuing learning, accompanying the transition and thus contributing to the development goals of social than economic. has made significant and promising efforts to help young people acquire the practical skills necessary to engage in schooling, which not only promotes learning but also facilitates access to work and self-employment. The author concludes that while career guidance can not in any way bridge the gap between schooling and work, it certainly has a role to play in valuing learning, accompanying the transition and thus contributing to the development goals of social than economic. has made significant and promising efforts to help young people acquire the practical skills necessary to engage in schooling, which not only promotes learning but also facilitates access to work and self-employment. The author concludes that while career guidance can not in any way bridge the gap between schooling and work, it certainly has a role to play in valuing learning, accompanying the transition and thus contributing to the development goals of social than economic.