Making social sciences research more vibrant and relevant to policy making is facing a double challenge in the Arab region: social sciences are often viewed as a troubling disciplines without few career opportunities on one hand, and: culture and practice of evidence informed policy making in general and especially with regards to social justice and equity.

In line with UNESCO Strategy on Youth (2014-2023), and the efforts of the Arab Council for the Social Sciences (ACSS) to raise awareness and understanding of possible career options as social sciences, UNESCO and ACSS jointly organized a consultation meetingentitled: "Social Sciences as a career choice: Awareness creation among secondary school students in the Arab region". The event took place on 30 and 31 October 2015 in Gefinor Rotana Hotel, Beirut.

The workshop aimed to:

a) Share the updates on the tools in preparation by ACSS and get the feedback for finalization (mapping studies, a story board for a documentary film, a draft poster and other communication items);

b) Share the outreach strategy plan, and plan a national campaign in coordination with partners to have an aligned approach in the pilot phase.

“Personally, it was a successful experience that revolves around an issue I am involved in”, stated Director and professor of social studies at Ibn Battuta junior high school, Mohammad Razouk, Morocco. “I gained knowledge and I met new faces in the context of exchanging experience in the educational field”.

“I liked the way the participants complemented and accepted one another, and, the topic is presented with clarity, transparency, and spontaneity”, said Fatima Al-Fawri, Curriculum expert, National Center for Technical Guidance, Oman. “They are raising a very important issue we are all concerned with", she added.

30 participants including high school teachers (social sciences and/or civic education), ASP-NET coordinators from the Ministry of Education, professors and deans from faculties of Social sciences, field researchers in pilot countries, and Youth NGOs representatives will attend this event.