More than 28% of the population of the Middle East is aged between 15 and 29, representing over 108 million young people. The lack of opportunities in the Arab world has been exacerbated by this demographic boom, reflecting an unemployment rate of almost 30% within this population. As technologies continue to advance, and traditional jobs are being eliminated, there remains a pervasive mismatch between the skills required by the evolving job market and those taught in schools. 

As the region responds to these changing demographics and job market demands, participants will discuss the increasing need for additional paths to prosperity and economic empowerment, including entrepreneurship, apprenticeship and lifelong learning.

Moderator

Michael Moe, Founder and CEO, GSV

Speakers

Christine Gulbranson, Senior Vice President, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of California System

Badr Jafar, CEO, Crescent Enterprises; President, Crescent Petroleum

Maysa Jalbout, CEO, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education

Abbas Kazmi, Founding and Managing Partner, Collegiate Capital

Jonathan Sokoloff, Managing Partner, Leonard Green & Partners, L.P.