How Media could serve young Iraqis
12-05-2006 (Amman)
"What do you personally think should be done to create jobs in Iraq?” A wealth of good ideas emerged from the question posed to young Iraqi students and journalists by UNESCO and UNIFEM on World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2006.
The first respondents certainly identified the insecure situation as the most significant hindrance to job creation, but they pinpointed solutions, mainly through the media. 19-years-old Salman from Sulaymaniyah suggests “educational programmes through the internet, TV, radio and the possibility for distance learning to qualify young people for the job market”.
The shortage of IT facilities is a major concern for Iraq’s young women and men; as 19-year-old Sarab from Baghdad puts it: “My school does not have computers and so I don’t have the skills, which limits my opportunities to find work.”
The “Wz Group for Cultural and Scientific Services” suggests to provide 100-Dollar-Laptops for Iraqi schools.
The young people voiced their opinion in this UNESCO and UNIFEM activity via email and telephone. The NGO MIC interviewed 70 students in schools and universities in Basrah, Ramadi, Baghdad, Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyah..
The interaction between “media freedom” and the “eradication of poverty” was the main theme on “World Press Freedom Day” 2006. UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura translated this into the consideration of “how protecting and furthering the fundamental human rights of freedom of expression and press freedom can assist in assuring another human right – the right to be free from poverty.” And he addedr: “There is a strong positive correlation between freedom of expression and higher incomes …”
UNESCO Iraq and UNIFEM placed their activity for World Press Freedom Day 2006 into this assessment by emphasizing “Media and empowerment through creating employment opportunities”.
Unemployment in Iraq is at a staggering rate. Under the current conditions, jobs for women and young people have become a rare treasure. In a poll of April 2005, Iraqis ranked unemployment the country’s second most pressing problem, behind security. “Unemployed people react sarcastically and bitterly”, warns Qais, a reporter from Al-Nahrain Satellite Channel, Baghdad.
The topics suggested by young people to create jobs in Iraq covered many different aspects of the problem, from micro-credits for “young people with an entrepreneurial spirit”, international scholarships and exchange programmes to revision of the curricula and training of teachers. Dr. Faiza, Head of New Iraqi Woman Union, describes the success stories of coaching young people “who all work independently now”.
The shortage of IT facilities is a major concern for Iraq’s young women and men; as 19-year-old Sarab from Baghdad puts it: “My school does not have computers and so I don’t have the skills, which limits my opportunities to find work.”
The “Wz Group for Cultural and Scientific Services” suggests to provide 100-Dollar-Laptops for Iraqi schools.
The young people voiced their opinion in this UNESCO and UNIFEM activity via email and telephone. The NGO MIC interviewed 70 students in schools and universities in Basrah, Ramadi, Baghdad, Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyah..
The interaction between “media freedom” and the “eradication of poverty” was the main theme on “World Press Freedom Day” 2006. UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura translated this into the consideration of “how protecting and furthering the fundamental human rights of freedom of expression and press freedom can assist in assuring another human right – the right to be free from poverty.” And he addedr: “There is a strong positive correlation between freedom of expression and higher incomes …”
UNESCO Iraq and UNIFEM placed their activity for World Press Freedom Day 2006 into this assessment by emphasizing “Media and empowerment through creating employment opportunities”.
Unemployment in Iraq is at a staggering rate. Under the current conditions, jobs for women and young people have become a rare treasure. In a poll of April 2005, Iraqis ranked unemployment the country’s second most pressing problem, behind security. “Unemployed people react sarcastically and bitterly”, warns Qais, a reporter from Al-Nahrain Satellite Channel, Baghdad.
The topics suggested by young people to create jobs in Iraq covered many different aspects of the problem, from micro-credits for “young people with an entrepreneurial spirit”, international scholarships and exchange programmes to revision of the curricula and training of teachers. Dr. Faiza, Head of New Iraqi Woman Union, describes the success stories of coaching young people “who all work independently now”.
Related themes/countries
· World Press Freedom Day 2006
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2006
· Press Freedom: News Archives 2006
· Iraq: News Archives 2006
· News Archives: 2006
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Contact information
- UNESCO/UNIFEM
Source
- UNESCO Iraq Office in Amman
Field office