Morocco prepares youth card, projects for employment on the horizon
12 December 2014
Read by 1912 persons
Moroccan parliamentarians are calling for the launch of the long-awaited youth card project and other proposals as soon as possible.
It is high time to act to provide young people with cards specifically dedicated to them, declared advisor Abdesselam Lebbar on December 2 before parliament. This card, intended for young people, will allow them, among other things, to benefit from reduced fares in transport and a reduced price to access certain places.
"These cards exist in all countries, even those that are poorer than Morocco. They are important because they make it easier for young people to get around," he stressed.
The Minister of Youth, Mohamed Ouzzine, for his part, assured that the ministry was currently looking into the project.
"If we set the age of beneficiaries from 17 to 30 years old, this represents a third of Morocco's population. We did not expect so many beneficiaries at the start, and I admit that we were really overwhelmed," he specified.
"Despite the difficulties, this card will soon be launched to facilitate young people's access to basic services," he indicated.
This youth card is one of the commitments included in the National Integrated Youth Strategy, developed in consultation with young people, ministries, and funding organizations.
"It aims to make young people a primary focus of public policies," Ouzzine specified. "This 2015-2020 strategy has been transferred to all government departments to take the measures relating to its programming regarding objectives and budget."
And the Minister of Youth added: "We don't want it to remain just a slogan, but it must meet the expectations of young people."
A commission responsible for developing the action plan has also been formed.
"This strategy is being followed by the World Bank and is considered a model in North Africa," Ouzzine welcomed.
The minister was also questioned about the actions taken to help unemployed young people. According to the deputies, effective measures must be taken to combat unemployment in Morocco and prevent young people from getting lost in "mazes."
Ouzzine noted that Morocco had recently launched, in partnership with the World Bank, an ambitious program dedicated to self-employment for five thousand non-graduate young people. Local executives and organizations should soon begin registering beneficiaries.
"It is a question of providing them with the necessary tools so that they can start their professional lives," the minister explained. "In other experiences, funding had been mobilized for self-employment, but in the absence of training, everything was lost," Ouzzine specified.
For a long time, politicians only addressed the issue of young people in their speeches during election periods, notes sociologist Anis Chefoui. "Today, we are talking about a strategy with concrete objectives. I hope that the promises will live up to expectations."
"Politicians' speeches are similar and have so far had no effect on the daily lives of young people," believes Amine Chalti, a 23-year-old accountant.
"Beyond the issue of the youth card, priority must be given to employment and training. However, so far, I see no sign of improvement," he explains to Magharebia.
Hakima Sbili, a 21-year-old student, is more optimistic. She hopes to see young people truly placed at the heart of public policies, as promised by the National Integrated Youth Strategy.
"I want to believe this government, which has made concrete promises such as the youth card. But this project must be implemented as soon as possible," she says.
Siham Ali.
Magharebia.com
Published on December 9, 2014.
Posted online on December 12, 2014.
It is high time to act to provide young people with cards specifically dedicated to them, declared advisor Abdesselam Lebbar on December 2 before parliament. This card, intended for young people, will allow them, among other things, to benefit from reduced fares in transport and a reduced price to access certain places.
"These cards exist in all countries, even those that are poorer than Morocco. They are important because they make it easier for young people to get around," he stressed.
The Minister of Youth, Mohamed Ouzzine, for his part, assured that the ministry was currently looking into the project.
"If we set the age of beneficiaries from 17 to 30 years old, this represents a third of Morocco's population. We did not expect so many beneficiaries at the start, and I admit that we were really overwhelmed," he specified.
"Despite the difficulties, this card will soon be launched to facilitate young people's access to basic services," he indicated.
This youth card is one of the commitments included in the National Integrated Youth Strategy, developed in consultation with young people, ministries, and funding organizations.
"It aims to make young people a primary focus of public policies," Ouzzine specified. "This 2015-2020 strategy has been transferred to all government departments to take the measures relating to its programming regarding objectives and budget."
And the Minister of Youth added: "We don't want it to remain just a slogan, but it must meet the expectations of young people."
A commission responsible for developing the action plan has also been formed.
"This strategy is being followed by the World Bank and is considered a model in North Africa," Ouzzine welcomed.
The minister was also questioned about the actions taken to help unemployed young people. According to the deputies, effective measures must be taken to combat unemployment in Morocco and prevent young people from getting lost in "mazes."
Ouzzine noted that Morocco had recently launched, in partnership with the World Bank, an ambitious program dedicated to self-employment for five thousand non-graduate young people. Local executives and organizations should soon begin registering beneficiaries.
"It is a question of providing them with the necessary tools so that they can start their professional lives," the minister explained. "In other experiences, funding had been mobilized for self-employment, but in the absence of training, everything was lost," Ouzzine specified.
For a long time, politicians only addressed the issue of young people in their speeches during election periods, notes sociologist Anis Chefoui. "Today, we are talking about a strategy with concrete objectives. I hope that the promises will live up to expectations."
"Politicians' speeches are similar and have so far had no effect on the daily lives of young people," believes Amine Chalti, a 23-year-old accountant.
"Beyond the issue of the youth card, priority must be given to employment and training. However, so far, I see no sign of improvement," he explains to Magharebia.
Hakima Sbili, a 21-year-old student, is more optimistic. She hopes to see young people truly placed at the heart of public policies, as promised by the National Integrated Youth Strategy.
"I want to believe this government, which has made concrete promises such as the youth card. But this project must be implemented as soon as possible," she says.
Siham Ali.
Magharebia.com
Published on December 9, 2014.
Posted online on December 12, 2014.
