Increasing youth participation and economic diversification were the focus of the Jeddah Economic Forum recently.

 

The forum, considered the 'Davos of the Middle East,' featured a panel discussion about 'Enabling links between investors and business led by John Hope Bryant, founder, chairman and CEO of Operation Hope. 

 

Under the theme 'Growth through Youth,' the forum was aimed at ways to enable economic growth and reduce youth unemployment levels with discussions centered on economic opportunities for young people, human capital and changes in education curriculum, sustainability, long-term growth in job creation and opportunities in the tourism and transportation industries.

 

Bryant highlighted the importance of encouraging young people to be entrepreneurial and to take their place as full participants in the global economy. 

 

"Youth are literally the future of Saudi Arabia and the Mena region. The youth do not have to be seen as a problem in Saudi Arabia and the Mena region -- they can be seen through the lens of opportunity too.  Saudi Arabia could simply decide to prioritise its youth population in a different way, a population which represents fully 60 per cent of the country's total population," said Bryant.

 

"In so doing, they could in time become a model for the region. It is time for a positive movement in the region, and with that, to create an entirely new generation of entrepreneurs and jobs outside of government," he added.

 

Bryant focused his remarks on his work to continue Dr King's legacy work around poverty eradication and empowerment in the United States, called Project 5117. 

 

This includes Hope's groundbreaking work around Hope Business In A Box Academies, Hope Inside and Hope Inside Plus. - TradeArabia News Service