Abstract
A tide of change has surged through the Middle East and North Africa since 2011.
Sparked by the death of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia, it has been an explosive release of pent up frustrations after decades of injustice, inequality, poverty, corruption, repression, and assaults on the dignity of the individual.
It has captured people’s imaginations across the globe and compels us, as nations, as organisations and as individuals, urgently to rethink our response to the questions and demands it carries. Rapid change is not something new to the region. Over the last generation the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has had the fastest rate of population growth of any region in the world. In 1950 the population was around 100 million. Today it is around 380 million. The consequent flow of migration from rural areas to the cities has created enormous pressures on the provision of effective services, resources and most importantly employment.
Sparked by the death of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia, it has been an explosive release of pent up frustrations after decades of injustice, inequality, poverty, corruption, repression, and assaults on the dignity of the individual.
It has captured people’s imaginations across the globe and compels us, as nations, as organisations and as individuals, urgently to rethink our response to the questions and demands it carries. Rapid change is not something new to the region. Over the last generation the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has had the fastest rate of population growth of any region in the world. In 1950 the population was around 100 million. Today it is around 380 million. The consequent flow of migration from rural areas to the cities has created enormous pressures on the provision of effective services, resources and most importantly employment.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Publication series
Name | The British Council |
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