The National Youth Policy was endorsed by the Lebanese government in April 2012. It is based on the participatory policy formulation process which involved young women and men from civil society organizations, political parties, universities, and high schools. From 2009 to 2012, they worked together with policy makers, including relevant Ministries, through numerous consultations and negotiations, and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and United Nations agencies.
UNESCO Office in Beirut as managing agent of the United Nations joint project on “Youth Empowerment and Participation in Lebanon” (2008-2012) supported the evidence-based, youth-led and participatory formulation of the national youth policy, comprising 235 policy recommendations. The project has created a vibrant national dialogue by setting up a National Youth Forum represented by 35 youth organizations and political parties on one hand and a higher committee on the national youth policy, chaired by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and represented by 13 key ministries, on the other. It involved high schools, universities and civil society organizations and community based organizations at large.
The National Youth Forum suggested the following priority actions:
a) populations, demographics and migration;
b) social integration and political participation;
c) economic and labor force participation;
d) education and culture;
e) health.
Through the acknowledgment of this policy, the Lebanese government commits itself to achieving youth development at the national level.
Young citizens need to be informed of their rights and roles in a changing society. Therefore, around the National Youth Policy, there will be a continuous advocacy process to involve aware and active citizens with the aim to ensure its implementation and monitoring.