European Union initiatives to Empower Maghreb Youth and Foster Development

Ziani, Salah; Benyahia, Samia

المجلة الجزائرية للأمن والتنمية
Volume 14, Numéro 1, Pages 68-82
2025-01-01

European Union Initiatives To Empower Maghreb Youth And Foster Development

Authors : Ziani Salah . Benyahia Samia .

Abstract

This study seeks to review the European Union (EU) initiatives in the Maghreb region to empower young leaders as an important partner in strengthening societies according to an empowerment and sustainable development approach to actively participate in the development of the region at all levels through various development projects, and this is to encourage meaningful practices related to managing the relationship between economic development and social role. Whereas in the past the European Union’s focus was limited to the security aspect, a new shift is emerging whereby activities such as community-based research, issue development, political thinking and analysis, direct action, youth organising, increasing civic participation, and building individual and collective leadership capacities for youth are all elements of a shift in European cooperation policies and projects towards the Maghreb countries. The same study analyses the role played by Maghreb youth leaders in articulating their experiences and perspectives on how to develop and activate programmes and policies guided by the EU's future strategy for the region to face new threats while sharing the responsibilities of contributing to both national and regional development in light of the divergent policies of European countries. The study concludes with recommendations to enable policy makers in these countries to provide convincing and practical future responses and solutions that are customised, relevant and oriented towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The same study analyses the role played by Maghreb youth leaders in articulating their experiences and perspectives on how to develop and activate programmes and policies guided by the EU's future strategy for the region to face new threats while sharing the responsibilities of contributing to both national and regional development in light of the divergent policies of European countries. The study concludes with recommendations to enable policy makers in these countries to provide convincing and practical future responses and solutions that are customised, relevant and oriented towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).