A new publication by the Politics and Society Institute titled “How to Build a Successful National Youth Policy”?”
Amman – The newly released guidebook, authored by Dr. Mohammed Abu Rumman and published by the Politics and Society Institute, presents both theoretical and practical frameworks for developing a comprehensive national youth policy. It outlines a model approach that aligns with international best practices recommended by leading global institutions and adopted by several advanced countries. The book addresses not only the underlying philosophy and guiding principles but also the operational aspects and implementation plans essential to successful national youth strategies.
The book begins by examining a major shift in how many Arab governments have come to view their youth—particularly since the Arab Spring of 2011. Before that period, young people were largely seen as recipients of public policy rather than active partners in shaping it. Youth policies tended to focus narrowly on sports, leisure, or limited developmental aspects. However, in the wake of the Arab Spring and the surge of youth-led movements, this perspective began to change. New policies and institutions emerged, reflecting a broader and more participatory vision of youth engagement.
This transformation coincided with a growing international focus on youth policy, marked by an expansion of global frameworks and UN documents dedicated to youth development. International organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and the UN Development and Population programs have increasingly played supportive roles in this area. The Arab League also began to take a more active and systematic interest in youth affairs and policy formulation.
Despite these positive trends—especially the growing number of Arab governments adopting or revising national youth policies—significant gaps still persist. Many national strategies remain weak either in conceptual design and formulation, or in implementation, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms. In numerous cases, the lack of measurable indicators has hindered the translation of policy ambitions into tangible outcomes.
Against this backdrop, the new guidebook provides a theoretical and practical framework for building effective national youth policies. It sets out model-based, evidence-informed principles that can help policymakers design and implement more coherent, responsive, and sustainable strategies.
The first chapter opens with a redefinition of “youth”—not merely as an age group, but as a complex, context-dependent social category. It explores the psychological, physiological, sociological, economic, and national dimensions that intersect in defining youth, and how the age boundaries of this category vary from one country to another. As the author emphasizes, determining the “youth age range” should not be arbitrary. Factors such as age of maturity, entry into the labor force, marriage trends, educational cycles, and the ratio of students to workers all differ across societies. Therefore, any national definition of youth must be grounded in a country’s unique social and developmental characteristics.
Chapter Two explores the current challenges and broader contexts shaping the realities of youth across the Arab world. It opens with an examination of the “demographic opportunity”—the high proportion of young people within Arab societies—and the potential this represents for social and economic development if effectively harnessed. The discussion then moves to the major structural challenges confronting youth, including political and economic exclusion, unemployment, drug abuse, extremism, and the crisis of national identity, as well as the impact of wars and internal and regional conflicts that have deeply affected this generation.
A third section within this chapter focuses on the technological and educational gap facing many young Arabs. It highlights issues such as the weakness of digital and technological education, inadequate digital infrastructure, limited training opportunities and digital skills, and the absence of an enabling environment for research and innovation. Together, these factors constrain the ability of Arab youth to participate effectively in the global knowledge economy and to become drivers of innovation and progress.
Chapter Three turns to the concept of national youth policies—their philosophy, evolution, and institutional foundations. Drawing from international, regional, and academic definitions, the chapter distills a set of core components that any effective youth policy should contain. These include a clear value framework and guiding principles, a coherent national identity vision, and a defined understanding of the role of youth in development. The chapter also outlines how states can set strategic objectives, identify key priorities and challenges, and design appropriate institutions and programs to address youth needs. In doing so, it provides policymakers with a roadmap for translating conceptual visions into actionable, measurable national strategies that empower young people as active partners in building their societies.
Chapter Four focuses on building the national youth policy—its standards, process, and challenges—and presents a framework for best practices in this field. It emphasizes the importance of establishing a clear and accountable governmental authority responsible for youth policy, alongside the precise identification of target groups. The chapter stresses the need for inclusivity through the principle of “leaving no one behind”, ensuring that policies address youth with disabilities, those in rural, informal, or marginalized areas, as well as youth outside education, employment, or training (NEETs), and those affected by conflict, displacement, or minority status. It also highlights vulnerable groups such as young women facing violence or exclusion, and youth in conflict with the law, including those in correctional facilities.
The chapter underscores equity and fairness in opportunity, recognizing the diversity of skills, experiences, and specializations among young people. It also calls for transparency in policymaking by providing accessible information about participants, data sources, and decision-making processes. Such transparency, the author argues, can only be achieved through the active, representative participation of youth in the strategy’s design—facilitated by open communication, regular reports, and the use of visual and digital tools during the policy development process.
Another key point concerns the need for evidence-based policymaking. National youth policies, the book argues, must be grounded in scientific research, accurate data, and realistic indicators. They should rely on surveys, focus groups, and specialized studies to ensure that goals are both achievable and measurable. A successful youth policy must therefore be comprehensive, practical, and data-driven.
The author also discusses the surrounding enabling environment and the concept of “incentive policies”, which are essential for both the formulation and implementation of youth strategies. Without such supportive conditions, youth policies risk remaining ineffective. Among the critical incentives are political endorsement by decision-makers, economic and social incentives, media engagement, direct youth participation, and support from influential sectors such as religious leaders, academics, journalists, and artists.
Chapter Five outlines the practical steps for designing a national youth policy, identifying six core procedures—each explained in detail along with potential challenges. These include: Establishing a national steering committee; Organizing workshops and consultations; Conducting studies and assessments; Ensuring youth and stakeholder participation; Collecting input and drafting a preliminary version; and Developing a comprehensive national strategy.
Chapter Six transitions to the implementation plan, which operationalizes the strategy by answering key questions: Who does what, when, where, and how? The chapter breaks down the design of the plan into specific goals, sub-goals, activities, and responsibilities, while mapping challenges, risks, and mitigation measures. It emphasizes that a sound implementation plan must be inclusive, coordinated, and well-financed, ensuring effective collaboration among policymakers, youth representatives, and stakeholders. It should also include quantitative and qualitative indicators to measure progress and impact.
The book concludes by noting that its author, Dr. Mohammed Abu Rumman, is an academic specializing in political theory with numerous contributions to youth studies. He also served as Minister of Youth (2018–2019) and currently works as the Academic Advisor at the Politics and Society Institute, bringing both scholarly depth and practical experience to the subject.