Arab citizens demanding a seat at the virtual table

While I applaud this worthy initiative to include input from previously unrecognized or ignored stakeholders (as the Bank likes to call them) in development projects via methods of modern technology such as social networking, I hope that this broader aim is not pursued strictly via this technology. While the new/young generation may indeed be "tech savvy," there is a large segment of potential development aid recipients/beneficiaries who either may not have access to this technology, or whose valuable perspective still would be critically underrepresented in fora such as blogs, chat rooms, Twitter, Facebook, etc. There is some social strata self-selection that could be inadvertently implied in reaching out on poverty alleviation/development related initiatives to those with Facebook and Twitter accounts, and the target audience may be missed.

In other words, I hope the technology will not serve as a substitute for soliciting input from these previously marginalized sections of civil society, per this new initiative, the "old-fashioned way:" by reaching out to them directly in person. Only then, cumulatively through the combination of technology and otherwise, can thorough information be sought and obtained. The goal of incorporating the views of citizens (especially those directly affected by projects) across a broad spectrum cannot be met simply by bludgeoning the problem with technology alone. Instead, it requires a more holistic change in World Bank management mindset to proactively seek out and implement citizens' input as in-depth and as frequently as possible, in the spirit of partnership. I am not convinced that such a mindset exists. I hope that World Bank staff will take into account suggestions such as these provided via this mechanism, and respond with explanations why they do or do not adopt them.

Thank you.

Interesting article Amina.

Interesting piece, and seems like an unusual approach by a big institution like the World Bank. I hope it takes off.

I agree with the comment above, Awinash Bawle, that some marginalized groups will most likely not be able to take part in this virtual discussion. This is something the World Bank will have to keep in mind, rural populations and so on.

However, this being said: everyone can not be reached at the same time. The young in the Arab world are connected and I am happy that we will be able to share our thoughts at this forum.

The topic is supposed to be youth employment. Let me share a first opinion: yes, there are no jobs, yes the young do not have the right qualifications, but the truth is - even if we did the problem of NEPOTISM and corruption would have to be resolved. Nepotism and having the right contacts is all that matters. I look forward to discussing how we can change that attitude. Things are changing and in Egypt I hope we can work on changing things bottom up, turn the shirt inside out. Peace.

Great article....makes you think!

Glad to hear organizations such as the World Bank opening up to listen more. What the developing world needs are elegant solutions, ones that come from the needs of the people they are trying to help. I hope they continue down this path and increase communication, but also listen to that communication as well with a sensitive and intelligently aware ear.

Great article Amina. Your enthusiasm is amazing. Your dedication and work on this World Bank initiative should be applauded!! Looking forward for the next piece on the virtual table....

I highly respect the author's precise awareness of the current situation and stance of youth as stated as " This generation is now taking a seat at the table, or rather, they are demanding a seat at the table and a say in the way development choices that affect them are made." I agree this is the time the World Bank is much need for Engaging widely with youth and the different segments of the society not only Government officials. Because the Arab Spring proves that the street and mass people do change the rules, change their present and rewrite the policies of their own states. Hence, it is smart the Bank needs to listen more and be more responsive to the mass people The article /blog constitutes a smart and deep analysis and vision of the current situation , Looking forward to the next blog

Thanks for sharing information about this initiative. The sentence in the article that resonated the most with me was: "Terminology such as “helping” and “aid” is becoming timeworn. It is more a matter of working alongside a generation that wants to be in charge of their own future." I'm glad that the World Bank seems to begin to acknowledge this. This new generation does not want aid. What we would like though, is to work alongside the World Bank as equals, to be able to capitalize upon the expertise and knowledge built up within this institution in order to help our own generation flourish, in order to strengthening the skills of our own experts. This being said: I do again acknowledge that the World Bank has a global knowledge that our countries could surely benefit from. For example within the field of education. It is obvious that there are many things that are not working within the Arab educational systems - this is an area that we could certainly benefit from the World Bank's expertise. But a word of caution - some of us have had our revolutions - please do work with this new generation that demanded change, and not the old foxes that are still around within the governmental systems. We will share what we think about the problems of youth unemployment once the next virtual forum is opened. Peace!

I read this but honestly I don't know enough about the world bank to be either positive or critical.One thing I like to say though: regarding employment for the young in the Arab world. Many young want to start a business or they already have one but cannot make it formal or cannot reach bigger markets. It is complicated to figure out how to go about things, one-stop shops can help a lot. And letting the young know about the help that exist. Also simple courses for free, nothing advanced to learn. Have good day. Minou

Many of you make interesting and noteworthy points here -- mainly about the "digital divide" that enables some Arab youth to access social networking websites and not others. It might be interesting to also consider how we can bring disenfranchised youth (Arab youth who do not live in cosmopolitan cities like Cairo, or have ready access to the internet) to the proverbial table; that is, to incorporate them into decision making, rather than to make the decisions for them. I think this is what author Amina Semlali is getting at: an ethics that would hold the West (and Western institutions like the World Bank) accountable to the people it claims to be helping. But, this might be a bigger project that the World Bank is willing to admit, or commit itself to.

Let me explain. If we look at the ledger of history, it quickly becomes apparent that the World Bank has consistently and unabashedly pursued its own interests (that is, Western interests, and the express interests of multi-national corporations), rather than carried out its supposed mission: to cater to "the actual development needs of recipient countries," as Cautiously Optimistic notes. We mustn't forget that the World Bank works to ensure the survival of a neoliberal and neocolonial world order. Stated another way, the World Bank, as an institution, works to ensure profit and efficiency (and power), not social needs. Loans offered by the World Bank are provided only under the condition that recipient countries "liberalize" trade, investment and finance, which includes the deregulation and privatization of industries perhaps better (that is, more ethically) run and managed by the local government.

To that end, I'd like to voice my solidarity with Jamal X, who writes in his comment, "The young generation that demanded changes in their countries [Arab youth] want to break from the past and walk down a path that is in their country's [best] interest." We may have to accept (and in fact, I hope this is the case) that what Arab youth identify as "good" for their country might mean nationalizing industry and, thus, calling the World Bank on its abuses, which it carries out under the innocuous banner of foreign "aid".

The World Bank, as it currently runs, allows us to keep under-developed countries perpetually underdeveloped – that is, in a perpetual state of want. Stated another way, by providing loans only under the guarantee that a recipient country open its industries to Western-run companies, the World Bank actually undercuts any efforts it claims to make to "help" people. The only “people” the World Bank has (thus far) helped is the people on Wall Street. Indeed, it’s no wonder why the Arab Spring (an international effort) has been compared to Occupy Wall Street (a domestic effort): both work to make money-makers accountable to the people they claim to be representing.

Which is to say, enabling Arab youth to share their opinions means that the World Bank may have to make itself open to changing its procedures, or to a "complete overhaul" as Cautiously Optimistic suggests. Such an overhaul would demand that the World Bank takes its stipulated mission at its word, and that it considers how actually helping the people in the Arab world (and demonstrating its solidarity with Arab youth, disenfranchised or otherwise) might mean providing funds without “conditions” – or at least, without conditions that benefit multi-national companies that prioritize profit, not social needs.

Salam alaikum, I am so happy to see you continue the youth work and the World Bank continu to work with youth. I hope you remember me?When you invited me to the panel many years ago with the minsiters from our coutries and one put us down and insulted us in the panel you directly defended the young peopls right to speak their mind and told the minsitre to be respectful to us the young and that we have the same rights. I will never forget this and this to us showed that the World Bank does not only support our government it supported us - the young - more than the old. I am now doing an internship in DC and hope I can be part also of these consultations. Also I think social media is the best way to reach as many as possible. Sincerely, Farid Atallah

Very important topic in my opinion. It is wonderful that the World Bank is focusing on the young, rightfully so, as they are the future. Giving the youth in the MENA region a platform to discuss their aspirations, hopes and needs is not only great for the region but for the entire world.