Mohamed El Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, emphasized that improving the situation of young people requires genuine and effective reform of the institutions serving them, stressing that the ministry has made the development of youth infrastructure a strategic priority to meet the expectations of this vital segment of society.
During the oral question period in the House of Representatives, held today, Monday, December 22, Mr. Bensaid, in his response to a question regarding the development and upgrading of youth infrastructure, explained that the sector currently oversees an extensive network comprising hundreds of facilities spread across the Kingdom, including more than 685 youth centers, 167 community-based socio-recreational centers, as well as 53 reception centers and 42 camping centers.
The minister highlighted that the current government’s term has seen unprecedented momentum in the field of youth development, with the renovation and modernization of approximately 450 youth facilities, including 316 youth centers, 52 socio-sports centers, 40 reception centers, and 42 camping centers, as part of a vision aimed at improving the quality of services and aligning them with the aspirations of young people.
This effort, the government official adds, was not limited to infrastructure alone, but also included revitalizing the services offered within these spaces through the organization of educational, cultural, sports, and artistic activities, as well as training sessions and roundtable discussions, in addition to awareness-raising and guidance activities, and scientific and digital workshops aimed at developing young people’s skills and promoting their social integration.
Regarding the issue of youth employment, the government official acknowledged the complexity of the matter, noting that although employment does not fall within the ministry’s direct purview, it is committed to addressing it through training and capacity-building for young people—particularly women and girls—as well as by implementing national programs, including “Youth Passport” and “Volunteer,” which aim to promote opportunities for integration and active participation in public life.
Sarah Al-Ramshi
