With young people aged 10–24 comprising almost one-third of Egypt’s population, it is integral that they play a role in developing the National Youth Strategy 2021-2026.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), in cooperation with UNFPA and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), held two workshops in Aswan and Cairo to engage young people in the strategy’s development in January and February.

These workshops are the first of a series of consultations planned to take place in different governorates, giving an opportunity to youth from across Egypt to voice their opinions and have them reflected in the strategy.

Members of the Egyptian Youth Parliament, Egyptian scouts and girl guides, as well as a number of young men and girls from different initiatives and activities in Upper Egypt participated in the workshops.

The discussions in the workshops revolved around development of skills, technology, volunteering and development.

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, was keen on participating in both workshops to highlight that the National Youth Strategy is from young people to young people and that youth participation is crucial to a comprehensive and an inclusive strategy that will be the roadmap to all stakeholders and ministries who work in youth-related areas.

MoYS, in cooperation with UNFPA and AASTMT, are in the second phase of developing the National Youth Strategy 2021-2026.