Développement économique et création locale d’emplois (LEED)
I Experts' Meeting: Local employment, skills and entrepreneurship strategies in the Mediterranean - Developing pathways for the future (Barcelona, Spain)
A conference
18 July 2011, Palau de Pedralbes, Barcelona, Spain
This conference is organised by the Union For the Mediterranean in cooperation with the OECD LEED Programme and the City of Barcelona
The Mediterranean region is undergoing major social, political and economic changes which place unprecedented pressure on governments and international organisations in the region to urgently provide solutions for a better future. The conclusions from the MENA-OECD High Level Consultation held at the OECD in Paris on 16th May 2011 identified skills for employment and skills for entrepreneurship and SME development as key themes for the region to tackle the high unemployment, particularly for youth.
Economic objectives can not be reached without delivering services that foster jobs, the development of SMEs and the integration of women in socio-economic development. Targeted solutions tailored to the characteristics of each country are needed, as well as better horizontal coordination of government departments and alignment of different levels of government – the local level is a key area where national strategies and services are deployed.
Within this framework, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the OECD Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Programme, in collaboration with the City of Barcelona, co-organised an expert meeting to discuss pathways for employment, skills and entrepreneurship strategies in the Mediterranean region. The expert meeting brought together Ministries of Labour, Ministries of Education and practitioners to discuss local skills development and its link to local job creation and sustainable growth, especially in the numerous SMEs in the region.
Countries had the opportunity to join forces to discuss skills availability, skills upgrading, skills mismatch, skills for new areas of employment growth and the integration of skills and employment plans for solid employment strategies at the local level. The meeting discussed operational pathways to address high youth unemployment as well as skills development for women’s integration in local labour markets and developing the best environment for SMEs to thrive.
The event was organised as an experts’ discussion. Participants in the meeting discussed strategies and actions for skills for employment and entrepreneurship in Mediterranean countries drawing from the experiences and the best practices of the OECD and countries in the region.
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Theme I: The 3 ‘Es’ for fostering jobs for youth: Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship |
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As countries around the world emerge from the financial crisis with slow employment recovery, Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Algeria are mobilizing efforts to address high youth unemployment and foster job creation. How can Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship be combined and fostered for integration of young people in the labour market? Is there enough autonomy and capacity in the education and training sector? What examples of initiatives exist in the Mediterranean and OECD countries?
Skills, Employment and Entrepreneurship Strategies for the Mediterranean Region Youth Migration Intentions after January 25 The Danish experience of integrating youth in the labour market Barcelona Employment Strategy for Young People The Social Economy in the Mediterranean: impact on job creation for young people |
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Theme II: Innovative approaches to foster entrepreneurship and SMEs |
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The Mediterranean region is rich in entrepreneurs and small firm formation. Innovative approaches to skills and talent development can foster a high-growth business environment with higher potential for job creation particularly in SMEs. How can entrepreneurship skills policies best contribute to sustainable employment creation? In which areas of business growth? What experiences exist for fostering entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean?
Preparing Mediterranean Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurship Development in SMEs in Turkey Fostering Youth Entrepreneurship Innovative approach to foster entrepreneurship and SMEs |
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Theme III: Skills development to empower Mediterranean women |
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Integrating women in the labour market and empowering them to reach their full potential through entrepreneurship will bring significant talent and innovation to business activity in the Mediterranean region. Skills programs and initiatives from the region can be contrasted with those from OECD countries. In what areas are women’s business talents concentrated? What are the barriers for skills development participation? What are the challenges for career development and entrepreneurship? What experiences and best practices exist from Mediterranean countries?
Women’s employability in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Palestinian female labor market participation |
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Theme IV: From theory to practice: Tools for developing employment and job-rich entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean |
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The design of skills and employment strategies and programmes should respond to local conditions and challenges, and should involve a wide range of stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to optimize the relevance and impact of such strategies. How can we forge better partnerships for skills for employment and entrepreneurship with such stakeholders? What are the obstacles to a joined-up approach? How can investments and talent from the Mediterranean Diaspora be better utilized? What are the key proposals and ideas discussed today? What operational pathways can be proposed?
Diasporas: gateways for investment, entrepreneurship and innovation in the Mediterranean Local employment, skills and entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean Barcelona strategy to foster Entrepreneurship and Business growth |
Download the final summary note
Policy makers from education and employment ministries, government employment agencies, and local government bodies, from Mediterranean and OECD countries. Relevant employers, technical and vocational education and training institutions, SMEs associations and bodies, community-based organizations and institutions actively involved in labor, employment and entrepreneurship issues across Mediterranean countries.
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Watch several interviews to Ministries of Labour, Ministries of Education and practitioners discussing pathways for employment, skills and entrepreneurship strategies in the Mediterranean region. |
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For further information please contact Ms. Giulia Omodeo Zorini at the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat or Ms. Cristina Martinez at the OECD Secretariat.
Documents connexes
- Local scenarios of demographic change
- Summary note of the OECD LEED and City Council of Barcelona Seminar "More and better jobs: Employment pacts’ experience & business strategies", 25 March 2011 (Barcelona, Spain)
- Seminar: More and better jobs - Employment Pacts’ experience & business strategies (Barcelona, Spain)