The StratREAL Foundation works with UNESCO on Entrepreneurship Education in the Arab States Region as part of their commitment to give young people around the world a future with more opportunities. In the context of a region that is home to one of the largest populations of young people (15-24 years) in the world and one where close to 100 million new jobs are needed by 2020, there came the recognition of a clear opportunity to become part of the solution by developing a programme that emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship education.

Entrepreneurship education is considered a useful strategy for tackling demographic pressures and diminishing youth unemployment, since it provides the youth with knowledge and competencies that empower them to face socio-economical challenges and changes throughout their lives. It is closely linked to the promotion of human development and social justice in vulnerable communities, and it is expected that entrepreneurship education and training helps people to engage in decent income-generating activities that can lead them out of poverty and towards sustainable livelihoods.

UNESCO experts will contribute to the development of educational policies and programmes that integrate entrepreneurship education in the education systems of the Middle East and North Africa. The project aims to support decision-makers in the region in the development of entrepreneurship education policies and programmes. Promoting and fostering entrepreneurship education contributes to the achievements of the Education for All (EFA) campaign, UNESCO’s priority in the area of education.

From the early part of 2009, with the StratREAL Foundation’s support, UNEVOC, UNESCO’s specialist international centre for technical and vocational education and training, will compile and disseminate innovative and successful experiences of entrepreneurship education from different countries in the region in Arabic and English.

During the next phase of this four year programme, three countries will be selected to receive tailored technical support for the development of strategic plans to facilitate the incorporation of the concept of entrepreneurship education in their educational system.