Press Release on the World Youth Day Community Media Center

Press Release on the World Youth Day

Community Media Center

Today, 12 August, marks the World Youth Day, which was approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1998 to celebrate youth around the world. Recognizing the importance of their leading role in building the society and of the fact that young people are the vital element for the rise and flourishing of any nation, they are the shoulders upon which civilizations are built, their unlimited energy, passion and motivation is the central force that pushes forward the human advancement.

This year, as we revisit the World Youth Day, unemployment rates among the Palestinian youth is on a shocking rise, especially in the Gaza Strip, where unemployment rates exceeded sixty percent. Furthermore, the Israeli closure imposed on the Gaza Strip which restricts the access of many materials necessary for the functioning of factories and businesses, as well as the construction materials necessary for the reconstruction process that grew even more necessary in the after the last Israeli military attack, all contributing to the deterioration of the situation.

In light of these painful circumstances, Community Media Center regards the future of Palestinian youth (males and Females) with much concern, especially in the Gaza Strip, where despair and frustration permeated the mentality and thoughts of youth, manifesting in many forms, most dangerous of which was drug addiction and violent behavior.

Community Media Center also regards the issue of youth immigration and the rise of this idea to become a conviction among many educated and uneducated youth, who wait by the thousands for the border crossing to open so they may escape their hellish reality and ambiguous future.

Out of concern for the future of our youth, we at Community Media Center call on the international community, Palestinian Authority,  and the Civil Society Organizations to:

1. Put serious efforts into addressing the issue of youth immigration and the underlying causes of their desire to leave Gaza Strip permanently.
2. Work towards providing work opportunities for the graduates and youth, in the public sector, private sector and local civil society
3. Make a serious stand to encourage the Palestinian youth toward preserve the Palestinian cause and ensure a Palestinian society capable of confronting the Israeli occupation in the various international avenues.
4. Support the efforts of both governmental and civil society entities focusing on youth.
5. Mobilize the youth and support their participation in the political, social and economic aspects of life, which is necessary for a sustainable development of the society