The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean participated at the Ninth Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference & Exhibition – DIHAD, in Dubai (1-3 April, 2012). The theme for the DIHAD 2012 Conference was The Role and Importance of Youth in Humanitarian Assistance and Development, which was adopted by the DIHAD Board of Directors last year at the suggestion of PAM Secretary General.
PAM was represented by Hon. Najima Thay Thay Rhozali, former Member of Parliament and Secretary of State for Education and Youth, Morocco, and PAM Secretary General, Amb. Sergio Piazzi.
The role of youth within society, their present and long term aspirations were at the centre of Hon. Najima Thay Thay Rhozali’s intervention during the Conference 3rd Session – Youth, a large percentage of our constituencies; are we doing enough for them?, which was chaired by PAM Secretary General, Dr. Piazzi. This session also included contributions by Hon. Petra Bayr (Austria) and Hon. Abdulrahman A. Al Swailem (Saudi Arabia).
Hon. Rhozali recalled that the youth in the region are considered as the most strategic actors and have been key in the transformation process, and therefore a vehicle for change in the political landscape. “Now we have to realize that we, as parliamentarians, need to seriously listen to their needs and set them high on our agenda. Fulfilling the needs of today’s youth will result in tomorrow’s development”, Hon. Rhozali added.
Youth must be enabled to bring down barriers and provide them with the tools needed to flourish and for this to take place, “we should give them ownership, and this is why the way ahead is to listen to their needs, recognizing them as key players for change and development at the local and global level”. the PAM parliamentarian said.
‘I am convinced that employment and education are the main challenges og both youth, and us parliamentartians. These challenges should be our priority commitments both on a national, as well as, on a regional level. And with regards to employment, we must enable creativity and innovation by sustaining youth-led development, including full support to microfinance and entrepreneurship, as well as, assistance to start-ups and SMEs.” Hon. Rhozali commented.
‘Funding and Development aid remain key pillars in the future of our young, the growth of the economies and the stability of the states surrounding the Mediterranean. “Our role is to take a commitment to listen to them and engage into effective dialogue with”, Hon. Rhozali concluded.
“In this regard, PAM is extremely conscious of the important role that national parliaments have, and they are equally committed to dedicate the necessary resources in their legislative processes to accompany youth in the fulfillment of their personal and collective aspirations of their respective community, society and country. As a matter of fact Youth and issues related to their education, development, employment and future socio-economic considerations, are one of the 2012 priority areas for debate within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean. ”, Amb. Piazzi commented.
DIHAD, an annual event dedicated to Humanitarian Aid & Development, represents an excellent annual opportunity to further strengthen PAM relations, as the leading parliamentary forum of the Mediterranean, with GCC countries and key Islamic institutions.
As the DIHAD 2012 organizers have underlined, Humanitarian Assistance and Development Programmes are conceived and implemented, to a large extent, with the objective of benefiting the youth in targeted areas. Moreover, youth are increasingly instrumental in implementing these activities and it is indeed the youth of today who will have to live, tomorrow, with what is accomplished.
The Conference was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai, and supported by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Est., the United Nations, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, the UAE Red Crescent Authority, International Humanitarian City, Dubai Cares and the Organization of Islamic Conference.