Young people are engaged citizens, their creativity is leveraged, they find economic opportunities in Lebanon

Guarantee equal rights and civic duties to all citizens

1. The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MINJES) set the age bracket for youth in Lebanon is 15- 29 years old based on socio- economic characteristics relevant to Lebanon
2. Youth make around half of the population of Lebanon
3. Lebanon has evolved into a vibrant terrain for youth-focused NGOs, grassroots groups, and tech entrepreneurs.  There are national federations for most sports.
4. Literacy rate (90%) highest in the region, school enrolment (98%), number of graduates from universities is around 40,000 per year, 29% of them in STEM subjects

1. Youth employment rate
2. Youth emigration rate
3. Youth participation in elections
4. Youth Development Index
5. Global Youth Wellbeing Index (Lebanon excluded)
6. Youth Progress Index
7. Global Competitiveness Report (WEF)

1. The Lebanese youth is marginalized by society. Youth represent 66% of the unemployed; 0% of elected MPs; and the majority of internal and external emigrants.
2. The number one pain of the youth is to improve its living standards and reach independence from parents.  Other factors include the turbulent political situation, difficult labor market conditions, and unemployment
3. Youth represent 41% of the labor force; unemployment rates are 50%
4. Youth jobs are mainly low paying with no career advancement prospects (waiters, valet car park, security, etc.)
5. USD 5.5 Million MINJES dispersed in 2018 to help individuals (1%), municipalities (42%)  and clubs (57%) in the sports domain.  No substantial vision nor activities for other youth programs.

1. Youth emigration is significant, due to limited employment opportunities and higher wages in foreign markets, especially in Arab Gulf countries. One third of the population aged between 15 and 29 would like to emigrate (with parents’ encouragement)
2. Marriage age with parental consent at 9 for girls, 13 for boys
3. Regional disparities in income and wealth lead to unequal opportunities for young people living in rural areas
4. 21-year-old is the minimum age for voting
5. Youth invest high tuition rates to graduate from 50 universities that are accredited by the Government but offer low quality education

1. 2004, establishment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MINIJES) and an independent public institution to regulate sports and youth clubs, and scouts.  90 such associations were given license in 2018 only.
2. 2009, MINIJES devised a special department for youth-related matters
3. 2010, MINJES published a National Sports Strategy
4. 2012, MINES published a National Youth Policy not endorsed by COM
5. MINJES sees its role as policy maker, regulator, implementer of projects, and operator of the large sports facilities (Olympic swimming pool, sports city, etc).

1. Review the mandate of the MINJES as most of its activities are for sports, and not for youth.  Review the National Youth Policy and have it enacted by the COM and executed by PCM cause its implementation require coordination between several ministries:  Labor, Education, Economy, Culture, Sports, and Interior.
2. Lower voting age to 18 years of age
3. Forbid marriages with parental consent under the legal age of adulthood (18)
4. Encourage youth employment by wavering the NSSF charges and actively engaging the National Employment Office
5. Conduct youth training to solve the skill mismatch problem between the labor market  and university graduates
6. Promote the culture of sports (benefits are better health, team spirit and collaboration, mindset of competition, etc.)
7. Create jobs in productive sectors that create demand for skilled workers, reducing emigration of young people
8. Empower youth for active citizenship and public participation 
9. Invest in the entrepreneurial and innovation eco-system