Regional conference on “Promoting Youth Employment in West Africa”, organized by the Development Centre of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in partnership with the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) and African Development Bank (AFDB), was held in Dakar, Senegal on 10 November 2012. Gathering the policy makers, experts, private-sector representatives, academics, members of civil society and youth representatives from Africa and other continents, the conference was aimed to focus on concrete examples to facilitate knowledge sharing on development of educational models and policies thrives youth employment.

The conference focused on education, training and skill development for youth employment in West Africa and provided the discussants a venue to examine the problems of political economy and governance of the education and training systems, economic infrastructure and sectoral initiatives that support job-rich development as well as the framework to be put in place at country level, including key government, business and civil society initiatives.

Dr. Savaş Alpay, Director General of SESRIC, addressed the session on “Growth Strategies and Economic Policy for Job Creation” which chaired by Mr. Adebayo Olukoshi, Director of United Nations African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP). Dr. Alpay briefed participants on the quality of education and prospects for and challenges of the labor market in OIC Member Countries with highlighting successful policies in combating youth unemployment.

On his trip to the region, Dr. Alpay took the opportunity to visit Mauritania and had meetings with the Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Minister of Employment, Vocational Education and New Technologies of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to explore possible areas of cooperation. Dr. Alpay also had meetings with various organisations and ministries in Senegal including the Disaster Management Institution.

Documents

• Agenda (English) (French)
• Concept Note (English) (French)
• Presentation on “Enhancing Youth Employability: The Role of Education and Skills Development” (English)

Photos