In 2005 the EU-CoE youth partnership, together with several national and regional partners, initiated a process of youth policy cooperation in the broader Euro-Mediterranean region, with a view to fostering greater cooperation between youth policy stakeholders.

The process of youth policy co-operation has inter alia significantly contributed to the recognition that co-operation among institutions responsible for youth policy (public and private) is essential to intercultural dialogue and to the Euro-Med projects in which young people take part.

Youth policy activities have also, undoubtedly, resulted in an expansion of  partnerships and co-operation with a variety of institutions concerned by the empowerment of young people in the MENA region, including the League of Arab States, UNFPA, the World Bank and British Council. In this respect, too, the EU-CoE youth partnership is playing a leading and innovative role.

In reaction to the political changes in their Southern neighbouring countries, both, the European Union and the Council of Europe are strengthening their efforts to support these developments towards democracy. Young people in Egypt, Tunisia and other parts of the South-Mediterranean hold the key to the sustainable and peaceful development of their societies based on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Understanding and taking into account their expectations and needs is crucial for all the institutional stakeholders, such as the League of Arab States, national youth policy authorities and youth organisations. The experience of young people from the Diasporas in Europe and their role in and perception of recent developments can also positively contribute to this process.

Back Seminar 'The role of research in youth policy and youth work development in the broader Euro-Mediterranean context', November 2006, Egypt

27-30 November 2006, Cairo (Egypt)

This seminar provided an opportunity for youth researchers, youth workers and governmental representatives to reflect together on the particular role of research in the development of youth policy in order to develop an exchange process, co-operation and joint activities between the fields of youth research, youth work and youth policy development.

This seminar is a result of co-operation between the EU-CoE youth partnership, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Council of Europe's Directorate of Youth and Sport, the Egyptian National Youth Council, the League of Arab States, the Swedish Institute in Alexandria and the Swedish National Board of Youth affairs.

It was intended for participants involved in youth research, youth work and youth policy development, more specifically those falling into one of three categories: youth researchers, youth workers/youth NGO representatives and government representatives/civil servants.