Morocco Strengthens Youth Services
6 February 2013
Read by 2477 persons
Young Moroccans will soon have better access to several services, including employment, transportation, healthcare, and cultural events.
This new "youth card" is part of a comprehensive approach to improve the situation of young people through various measures, explained the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Ouzzine, on January 14 to parliamentarians.
"It responds to the expectations of young people. It's a strong signal of consideration for young people who expect concrete measures with positive impacts on their daily lives," he declared.
He cited the need to guarantee quality training to help young people improve their skills.
"We are gathering all the recommendations from young people who participated in the national debate. An inter-ministerial commission is working on the file, which concerns several areas, including employment, foreign languages, culture, etc.," added the minister.
He explained that his ministry had not yet set the age of the card's beneficiaries, and that discussions on this point were ongoing.
"The question is to specify the age. Several definitions exist. The United Nations sets this age between 18 and 25 years, while the Arab League sets it between 16 and 35 years," he added.
The ongoing discussions are part of Morocco's national youth strategy.
For sociologist Siham El Ouardi, the implementation of a youth card is a big step forward in promoting Moroccan youth.
"By receiving this card, young people with limited financial means will be able to travel more easily and benefit from cultural and tourist services. It's a good concrete initiative," she explained.
Among young people, some welcome this measure while others consider it insufficient.
Hakima Cherrat, a 22-year-old secretary, is among the former. She believes that in Morocco, young people have not benefited from any privileges, while in other countries, youth is a top priority.
"By launching this card, we will move from the phase of speeches to that of concrete measures. Young Moroccans really need this provision, which will facilitate their daily lives," she added.
For Said Mrabi, a 20-year-old student, this card is a step in the right direction, but measures must be taken in other areas, "particularly improving teaching and training for better integration into the job market."
Siham Ali
Published February 3, 2013
Posted online February 6, 2013
icilome
This new "youth card" is part of a comprehensive approach to improve the situation of young people through various measures, explained the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Ouzzine, on January 14 to parliamentarians.
"It responds to the expectations of young people. It's a strong signal of consideration for young people who expect concrete measures with positive impacts on their daily lives," he declared.
He cited the need to guarantee quality training to help young people improve their skills.
"We are gathering all the recommendations from young people who participated in the national debate. An inter-ministerial commission is working on the file, which concerns several areas, including employment, foreign languages, culture, etc.," added the minister.
He explained that his ministry had not yet set the age of the card's beneficiaries, and that discussions on this point were ongoing.
"The question is to specify the age. Several definitions exist. The United Nations sets this age between 18 and 25 years, while the Arab League sets it between 16 and 35 years," he added.
The ongoing discussions are part of Morocco's national youth strategy.
For sociologist Siham El Ouardi, the implementation of a youth card is a big step forward in promoting Moroccan youth.
"By receiving this card, young people with limited financial means will be able to travel more easily and benefit from cultural and tourist services. It's a good concrete initiative," she explained.
Among young people, some welcome this measure while others consider it insufficient.
Hakima Cherrat, a 22-year-old secretary, is among the former. She believes that in Morocco, young people have not benefited from any privileges, while in other countries, youth is a top priority.
"By launching this card, we will move from the phase of speeches to that of concrete measures. Young Moroccans really need this provision, which will facilitate their daily lives," she added.
For Said Mrabi, a 20-year-old student, this card is a step in the right direction, but measures must be taken in other areas, "particularly improving teaching and training for better integration into the job market."
Siham Ali
Published February 3, 2013
Posted online February 6, 2013
icilome
