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International Review of Education

, Volume 60, Issue 3, pp 339–359 | Cite as

A human economy: A “third way” for the future of young people in the Middle East and North Africa

  • Malak Zaalouk
Article
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  • 477 Downloads

Abstract

This paper looks at the vulnerability of today’s youth worldwide, with a particular focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where the proportion of citizens aged 12–24 is particularly high at one-third of the total population. Cursed with poor education and few work opportunities, the youth unemployment rate has risen to 50 per cent in this region. There is a consequent lack of participation at all levels, and a large number of youth are showing symptoms of low self-esteem, frustration, anger and unrest. After discussing the outcomes of years of an inhuman economic system on a global level, this article points to a more humane and empowering path. The author argues that, instead of continuing with profit-oriented capitalism or relying on the informal sector, the co-operative way represents a third alternative to existing economic sectors within the dominant contemporary economic system. The article analyses the many benefits of this path for the realisation of a humane economy. In so doing, it touches on issues of equity and social protection. Finally, the article outlines what needs to be done if this is to be a viable solution for a human economy. While giving many examples of successful co-operative enterprises worldwide, the author singles out the MENA region as one which could also benefit from the new trends outlined.

Keywords

MENA Monopoly capitalism Economic crisis Youth unemployment Co-operatives Neo-co-operative movement Social protection Equity Quality education Poverty alleviation People’s empowerment 

Résumé

Une économie à visage humain, troisième voie pour l’avenir des jeunes du Moyen-Orient et d’Afrique du Nord – Cet article se penche sur la vulnérabilité de la jeunesse mondiale d’aujourd’hui, en mettant l’accent sur la région englobant le Moyen-Orient et l’Afrique du Nord, où la proportion de citoyens âgés de 12 à 24 ans est particulièrement élevée, correspondant à un tiers de la population. Aggravé par un manque de formation et une pénurie d’opportunités de travail, le taux de chômage des jeunes atteint jusqu’à 50 pour cent dans cette région. Il en découle un manque de participation à tous les niveaux, et de nombreux jeunes présentent les symptômes d’une faible estime de soi, de frustration, de colère et d’agitation. Après avoir analysé les conséquences après plusieurs années d’un système économique mondial impitoyable, l’auteure indique une voie plus humaine et autonomisante. Elle soutient que, au lieu de maintenir un capitalisme axé sur le profit ou de compter sur le secteur informel, la voie de la coopération constitue une troisième alternative pour les secteurs économiques du système économique dominant aujourd’hui. Elle analyse les nombreux avantages de cette option dans la réalisation d’une économie humaine, qui ce faisant traite des questions relatives à l’équité et à la protection sociale. Elle expose en outre ce qui doit être entrepris pour que cette économie humaine devienne une solution viable. En fournissant de nombreux exemples probants d’entreprises coopératives de par le monde, l’auteure signale la région du Moyen-Orient et d’Afrique du Nord comme pouvant également tirer profit des nouvelles tendances présentées.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht and UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Middle East Institute for Higher Education, MEIHE, Graduate School of EducationThe American University in CairoNew CairoEgypt

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