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Career guidance in the Middle East and North Africa

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International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The results are presented of a policy-focused review of career guidance services in 10 Middle East and North African countries. A range of economic, political, socio-cultural and educational factors which seem likely to have constrained the development of such services, and to have influenced the forms they have taken, are discussed. A number of drivers for change are outlined, the nature of the main current services is described, and a number of common issues are explored. Six broad themes are identified for the future development of career guidance services within the region.

Résumé

Conseil d’orientation de carrière au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique du Nord. On présente les résultats d’une revue centrée sur la politique des services d’orientation de carrière dans dix pays du Moyen-Orient et d’Afrique du Nord. Un ensemble de facteurs économiques, politiques, socio-culturels et éducatifs qui semblent probablement avoir contraint le développement de tels services et avoir influencé les formes qu’ils ont prises est soumis à la discussion. On donne un aperçu d’un certain nombre de moteurs de changement, on décrit la nature des principaux services existants et on explore un certain nombre de problèmes habituellement rencontrés. Six grands thèmes sont identifiés concernant le futur développement des services d’orientation de carrière dans la région.

Zusammenfassung

Berufsberatung im Nahen Osten und Nordafrika. Die Ergebnisse einer Untersuchung werden präsentiert, die die Politik hinsichtlich der Berufsberatungsdienste in zehn nahöstlichen und nordafrikanischen Ländern überprüfte. Eine Reihe von ökonomischen, politischen, soziokulturellen und bildungsmäßigen Faktoren werden diskutiert, welche die Formen von deren Entwicklung beeinflusst und die Entwicklung selbst eher gehemmt haben. Dabei werden die aktuellen Strukturen der Dienste beschrieben, die treibenden Kräfte für deren Veränderung benannt und eine Anzahl von gemeinsamen Problemen erörtert. Sechs übergreifende Themen werden für die zukünftige Weiterentwicklung der Berufsberatungsdienste in dieser Region identifiziert.

Resumen

Orientación para la Carrera en Oriente Medio y África del Norte. Se presentan los resultados de una revisión desde la perspectiva de las políticas de los servicios de orientación en diez países de Oriente Medio y África del Norte. Se analizan una serie de factores económicos, políticos, socio-culturales y educativos que parecen haber frenado el desarrollo de dichos servicios. Se sugieren un número de factores motivadores para el cambio, se describe la naturaleza de los servicios actuales, y se exploran una serie de aspectos comunes. Se han identificado seis temáticas amplias para el desarrollo futuro de los servicios de orientación dentro de la región.

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Correspondence to Ronald G. Sultana.

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Sultana, R.G., Watts, A.G. Career guidance in the Middle East and North Africa. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 8, 19–34 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-007-9133-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-007-9133-5

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