Kuwait Times, Tuesday, May 30, 2023 | Thul-Qidah 10, 1444
Kuwaiti youth call for reforms to fill unemployment, education gaps
Kuwait:
In 2017, Kuwait unveiled a new plan to transform
the country into a regional financial and cultural hub by 2035 through 164
strategic development programs to attract investment. But how do youth in Kuwait
see the ongoing development? Kuwait Times spoke with young citizens to learn
their perspectives on how to develop Kuwait. Azzam Al-Khaldi, 23, said Kuwait
still needs to work on various aspects to contribute to the overall growth and
well-being of development plans, as well as young individuals in the country. “I
think education reform is the main issue for the young generation. The education
system needs more involvement of modern teaching methods to promote critical
thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills, and to introduce practical
training for the job market,” he said.
For Ali Al-Mohareb, 26, focusing on productivity is important, explaining that
Kuwaiti government jobs are not going to be able to overcome unemployment in the
coming years, so focusing on developing entrepreneurship and innovation is
important. He stressed the need to adopt an entrepreneurial culture by
supporting youth-led startups and providing mentorship programs and funding and
encouraging innovation and collaboration across different sectors. Mohareb
indicated the government must address the challenges of youth unemployment by
collaborating with the private sector to create job opportunities and promote
internships, apprenticeships and skill development programs. “Kuwait must also
encourage youth participation in the decision-making processes by involving them
in local governance, policy discussions and community development initiatives.
Young people must be heard and voice their opinions to contribute to shaping
Kuwait’s future,” he added.
Rahaf Alamairi, 25, revealed that investing in cultural and sports programs can
be a great addition to the country, where they promote creativity, talent
development and, healthy lifestyles among young people, and can lead to
immediate and long-term benefits for youth, their families and communities. “In
each developed country, you will see youth centers where young people can engage
in various activities including cultural and sports activities. Kuwait must
consider this since it has very talented artists and athletes,” she added. She
noted it will help if the government promotes cultural programs and exchanges
with other countries to introduce youth to other viewpoints and promote
intercultural understanding. Alamairi also emphasized the importance of digital
literacy and to equip young people with essential technological skills to
promote inclusion and diversity in all facets of society.