The initiative known as "Parlons Développement" seeks to bridge the gap between expert discussions on development and the pressing concerns of youth across various regions. Launched in 2021 through a collaborative effort involving the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), this program aims to bring development discourse closer to the grassroots level, ensuring that young voices are heard and considered.
Now, five years since its inception, the initiative has successfully conducted 24 editions across 23 cities, attracting over 40,000 young participants both online and in person. This extensive outreach has been fortified by the involvement of 29 partners, including public and private universities, civil society organizations, and a significant number of local and regional speakers, alongside national and international experts.
Focusing on Employment and Local Challenges
Each edition of "Parlons Développement" is strategically organized in partnership with a university or a civil society organization, with the discussion topic tailored to address specific local issues. This format fosters an interactive environment where youth engage with representatives from institutions, the private sector, academia, and civil society. The themes tackled in these discussions are diverse, encompassing vital subjects such as employment and employability, territorial innovation, the development of oasis regions, water management, and civic education. Notably, employment has emerged as a central theme, with discussions delving into green jobs, entrepreneurship, and aligning youth aspirations with labor market needs, as well as exploring the pivotal role of local territories in job creation.
A key goal of this initiative is to localize the dialogue, moving away from a focus solely on major urban centers like Casablanca and Rabat. By conducting meetings in various regions such as Oujda, Errachidia, Meknès, Fès, Ifrane, Tétouan, Agadir, Marrakech, Khouribga, and Béni Mellal, the organizers have effectively tailored discussions to address local challenges. The theme of each edition is selected in collaboration with academic or associative partners, ensuring that the discussions are relevant to the specific characteristics and needs of the region, thereby blending national and international expertise with local knowledge.
For instance, during the 13th edition held in Aït Melloul, the focus was on green jobs, highlighting local opportunities in agriculture and fishing. Another session in Errachidia concentrated on the challenges faced by Morocco’s oasis regions, while Ifrane hosted discussions centered on digital innovation. Beyond the dialogues themselves, the World Bank emphasizes the gradual formation of a network that connects youth, academics, civil society, and experts. The format of these gatherings has evolved since its launch in 2021 to enhance interactivity, and it is set to continue adapting in order to foster ongoing conversations within universities and to engage youth more deeply in the discourse surrounding development policies.
As reported by lematin.ma.
