We do not have to puzzle long over what ignited the Arab Youth to take over the streets calling for reforms in their governments. The protests have been against long tyrannies, unemployment and have been fueled by the power of social media. The act that triggered the pro-democracy movement in many Arab countries, the self-immolation of a Tunisian in protest over the confiscation of his fruit stand, shows that the events of late are also an uprising against anti-entrepreneurial barriers. Clearly, protesters have issued a call to Arab leaders to not stifle the innovative aspirations of their people--especially the younger generation--which leaders themselves have armed through education and who are now impatient to put their education to good use.
Channeling the anger and frustration into building a start-up culture in the region would transform what today seems a threat into a great stabilizing asset. Last December, I had the opportunity to meet many young aspiring entrepreneurs from Libya at a conference focused on the Maghreb countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania). The objectives of the Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference, was to discuss entrepreneurship-based strategies to fight high unemployment in the region. The conference paid special attention to youth entrepreneurship in North Africa. With over 50% of the population under 25, the Maghreb countries face the challenge of a large number of educated but unemployed young people. If more people like Lybia´s Omar Abdelaziz Abdelati al-Obeidi, who started the Arab world’s first online library for the blind, see opportunity to prosper in the new systems that emerge in the coming months, they will be supportive. Entrepreneurship generates a bottom-up push for reform. As I´ve expressed before, in the midst of the chaos, a positive sign has been obvious. The events were a result, not just of desperation, but of initiative and a belief that they should be allowed to have a say because they can contribute to their countries’ economic future.
To read the full, original article click on this link: The Gift of Arab Youth - Entrepreneurship.org
Author: Jonathan Ortmans
