The Middle East and Africa (MEA) are experiencing profound changes, shifts that will only increase over the coming years and decades. Already large majorities of the population are aged 35 or younger and the median age is getting younger and younger. While these demographic shifts alone have significant impacts, young people are also growing up in a very different world than previous generations. Despite its flaws, the internet has opened windows to the world and increased access to information. These and other factors have shaped in the younger generations a substantially different set of values than previous generations. They value freedom, equality and justice more, and are less deterred by the crackdown tactics that undemocratic leaders have relied upon to cling to power and stifle protests and voices of dissent. Meanwhile, the region has the oldest leaders in the world, creating enormous and widening gulfs between the ruling powers and the vast majority of the populations.
AMEL works to make sure that these significant gaps and shifts are understood in the global halls of power as they will have profound and lasting effects on human rights, democratic development and virtually every single issue in the region for decades to come. An important facet of AMEL’s work is therefore to elevate the perspectives, insights, updates and of young activists and their peers across Africa and the Middle East. In 2022, AMEL carried out a myriad of actions to update and educate global policymakers and influencers on MEA human rights and democracy issues and the generational shifts that are increasingly shaping the region. AMEL President Mohamed Abubakr participated in international gatherings throughout the year, including the US-Africa Summit, and provided ongoing issue education, analysis and briefings for the international community, including American, European and Middle Eastern officials, diplomats, policymakers and other key stakeholders. At the critical intersection between activists and decision-makers, AMEL is lifting up the voices from the frontlines of the fight for human rights and democracy and helping to shape the relations and policies affecting the region and beyond.