 Youth
unemployment is a global problem, and it is at its worst in the
Middle East and the Muslim-majority countries of Africa and Asia,
where almost half of those under the age of 24 are unemployed. This
situation creates fertile ground for violence and radicalism, says
Marc Boxser, director of communications for Education For Employment
(EFE), a nonprofit group that works with local partners to provide
vocational training and jobs for young men and women in North Africa
and the Middle East. EFE works with local corporations, who sponsor
the projects and then hire those who complete the program.
Last spring the Smith School developed a unique custom executive
education program for EFE. Smith worked with faculty from the
leading academic institution in Gaza, Islamic University, to design
a six-month mini-MBA that would teach business skills using
marketplace simulations. It was an intense experience for the Smith
team, who in just under a week had to explain how to apply systems
thinking to learning and management, how to develop a systemic
learning experience, and how to use (and teach from) the business
simulation used by Smith MBA students. The Smith team included
Gerald Suarez, executive education senior fellow and executive
director of the Smith Fellows QUEST program; Martin Klima, a
contractor from the company which designed the simulation; and Andre
Williamson, MBA ’04, a Smith alumnus who provides executive coaching
for Smith MBA students.
The program was held in Cairo, Egypt, because Gaza itself was
considered too much of a security risk for the American team. There
was also a risk for the Palestinian faculty members, who could have
been persecuted for their association with Americans.
Despite the security concerns, Suarez is glad he went, though he
laughingly concedes that it was a stressful experience. “Considering
the violence and animosity that troubles this region, I felt that
what we did represented a pocket of hope. The faculty from Islamic
University were so appreciative, receptive and engaged. Though they
came from a different culture and a different mindset, we found
common ground, and it was education that built the bridge,” says
Suarez.
“We are very proud of this program,” says Boxser. “It is a great
example that our partnership model works.” All graduates from this
pilot program have gone on to employment with Consolidated
Contractors Company—some in Gaza, some in New Guinea and some in Abu
Dhabi.
EFE is now working on a nursing program in Cairo with Simmons
School for Health Studies, a sales force training program in Morocco
with Harvard University, and a business soft skills program in
Jordan. The Smith School is doing a consulting project for EFE to
help the foundation strengthen its capabilities and processes.
To learn more about EFE, visit
www.efefoundation.org. |
