Intergenerational dialogue
Bridging the gap through dialogue.
Bridging the gap through dialogue
Africa knows the higher generational gap in the world, while the average age of leaders is 65, youth average is 25. 40 years is the gap between the both generations in Africa, in which our African Union Youth Envoy is trying to reduce through an honest, open and safe dialogue.
Sharing ideas
The intergenerational dialogue is a safe space where youth as well as Elders can share freely their thoughts and ideas.
Interact with other generations
It’s a space where constructive dialogue is happening with different stakeholders: Civil Society, Government, Private sector…
Intergenerational Dialogue in Morocco: Current Challenges, Proposed solutions, and Future Aspirations.
Due to the imbalance between youth and elders in the decision-making spheres and with a united will to move from intergenerational conflict to dialogue that sets the cornerstone for intergenerational reconciliation, the first intergenerational dialogue was organized on the 26th November 2019, by Atlas for Development, in partnership with the African Union Youth Envoy and Mohamed 5th University Rabat (Scientific institute).
This event was marked by the participation:
- Mr. Mustapha El Khalfi, Ex- Minister in charge of relations between parliament and civil society and Ex-Spoke person of the Moroccan Government.
- Mrs. Fatima Zahrae Touzani: curator of the Global Shapers Rabat.
- Dr. Najib Saoumai, a member and representative of the local youth government initiative.
The dialogue was moderated by Ms. Karima Rhanem – Head of international center for Diplomacy.
The audience were from different generations and backgrounds.
The event focused on various goals related to significant sustainable development issues in Morocco, the Current Challenges, Proposed solutions, and Future Aspirations. The discussion touched on how the reconciliation between young and decision-makers at the level of public policies is pursued by the government, as well as the role of civil society actors in advocating on these issues.
Also, the trends that Morocco is taking at the international level, such as the sustainable development goals, in addition to Morocco’s role in achieving the goals of the African Agenda 2063. The discussion also revolved around reducing the social and economic differences in Morocco, especially in the context of the expanded regionalization and bringing the urban areas and their rural counterparts closer to vital sectors such as education, health, employment, and public services.
The existing gap between the generations was a concern shared by all attendees and participants. The fruitful discussion was concluded by recommendations from the panelists and the audience. Some of the key recommendations were the necessity for establishing meaning communication and share information which serves in creating a trust between the different generations. The necessity to change the system of discourse and highlight the collective responsibility of Morocco’s future.
Present and future of youth were one of the key topics discussed during the Intergenerational Dialogue. Due to the state’s inability to provide governmental positions for all the youth, the problem of unemployment stands out as one of the major challenged presented to the largest age group in our society. This challenge brings about opportunities for alternative entrepreneurial solutions. Especially since the world today is embarking on a fourth industrial revolution largely based on artificial intelligence that young people must lead this process.
This revolution can only succeed through granting the right to access of information which could be through a digital platform for competencies and the exchange of experiences and information.
The door was opened for the attendees and participants to an open exchange session, through which a number of recommendations were put on the table. Mainly:
- Encouraging youth to be part of the political scene by creating a ”Comité des Sages‘ inside political parties, mainly formed from elders so to share their experiences and orientation with youth.
- Investing in education (focusing on vocational training and scientific research).
- Investing in human capital (in health, economy, and education) Setting up start-up initiatives as an alternative.
- Investing in education and engaging in continuous trainings that reflect the job market needs.
- Inviting young people to be more open regarding the entrepreneurial field, as it is the key to creating a generation capable of leading and self-reliance towards a better tomorrow.
- Open doors must be programmed by the various state institutions for the benefit of youth, so they can get acquainted with their roles and restore confidence between both parties.
Reported by: Hamza Saidi, Ikbal Zerouali and Youssef Naciri