Introduction

The Youth of Saudi Arabia has been the most severally affected group by the social changes that has taken place over the past several years. Therefore, this has made them our key priority to our development plans as they are the most important in terms of social and human resource capital that now marks the starting point for several developmental and social programs. This age group which is at a sensitive age between 15- 30 have had some difficulties trying to digest the rapid social changes that are going on around them. This in turn may reflect as to why they have displayed some negative behaviors and attitude. The Youth, however, do represent the most important age group in the Saudi community owning to the ever increasing birth rate, the improved health conditions and the ever improving cultural awareness that has been witnessed in the Kingdom over the last few years.

As we argue that the youth are the most influential group within the society, they have become increasingly important in relation to workforce development opportunities as they are already well versed in responding to the new technological and educational demands of the global community. The Youth, we find, are flexible and are very open to new ways of doing things then previous generations.

Therefore, due to these demanding changes, it was deemed really important and necessary to set up strategic plans for the educational, cultural and social institutions of the community to develop a youth research center to support them with their current and future needs. The need to establish a specialized center to study their situation, observe and analyze from a scientific viewpoint their current and future issues/problems was crucial. Then we will prepare suitable reports that will highlight clear and realistic recommendations that will benefit the youth and hopefully the wider community across the Kingdom.

This direction has been crowned by the approval of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, Council of Ministers Premier and president of the Council OF Higher Education, May Allah preserve him, through the kind directive number 1086/MB dated 26/1/1428H on the Council Of Higher Education's decision number 9/44/1427 dated 21/10/1427, which established the National Center For Youth Research.

Statement of His Excellency Minister of Higher Education

Under the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, May Allah Preserve Him, and His Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, May Allah Preserve Him, the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a major shift in various social, economic, cultural, scientific and civilized fields. The rapid development that has been currently witnessed by the Kingdom has been initiated by its forward thinking men and youth.

Finally, the National Center for Youth Research, with its headquarters at King Saud University is making some really effective contributions in scientific research and consultancy on social, psychological and behavioral youth related issues, and has given suggestions and positive solutions that can resolve many of the issues that the youth face within our society.

Minister of Higher Education – Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al- Angari

Statement of the President of the Board of Directors

The youth of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been honored by the care of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud and his Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, May Allah Preserve them. This care factor was approved with the kind approval to establish the National Center for Youth Research, with its headquarters at King Saud University. The establishment of this Center is in keeping up with the tremendous support that is given to secondary and higher education including all youth related institutions in the community at the level of preparation, support re-habilitation and social care.

The concern of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness Crown Prince, May Allah Preserve Them, with the rapid expansion of national growth in economic, social and scientific development. The youth represents the largest age group within the community owning to the increase in the birth rate, improved health conditions and the cultural awareness that has been witnessed within the Kingdom in the last few years.

Over 80,000 male and female students are studying at the University and its branches within Riyadh and outside. Therefore, the creation of the National Center for Youth Research is a timely demand to start taking care of the youth and to invest in their capabilities, and to activate their role in the community so that they become really productive in the growth that is happening in the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia.

In summary this Center has been set up as a genuine opportunity to collaborate with all public and civic social institutions including the private sector and businessmen to attain the expectations of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Crown Prince, May Allah Preserve Them, to care for the youth and their protection from intellectual and social discourse that is negative, and to try and direct their energy to more positive things for their  social and emotional well being and for their community.

Rector of King Saud University

President of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Youth Research

Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdurrahman Al- Othman

Vision

To be Global Leaders in Scientific Youth Research

Mission

To be a youth-led research organization that will empower young people to take leadership and develop ownership over their lives and future, champion and develop youth-led practices, and support their peers and other youth-led groups and organizations to inform policy, practice and the law, particularly in the areas of education, employment, social and psychological development, skills development and emotional issues

NCYS will achieve this by working directly with young people, the voluntary sector, Government and national, regional and international organizations, carrying out research and by disseminating its findings to decision makers, academia, other young people and the general public.

Baseline Details of the Centers Operations

1.    It is the first specialized center  in youth research, whose establishment has been approved by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, May Allah Preserve Him, President of the Council of Ministers, and President of the Council of Higher Education

2.    It is based at King Saud University  where all youth related competencies, research centers and scientific societies are available as well as supporting approximately 80,000 male and female students

3.    The availability of a wide range of competent experts, specialists and consultants who can operate at the local and international levels for scientific research projects in sectors related to youth development, cultural, psychological, sporting, social and the health fields

4.    Have a cohort of available co-ordinaters and other related members of the center based in public, private secondary and higher education

5.    Have available an interactive website including sufficient information about the youth in the Kingdom and having access to advanced databases that includes scientific research, dissertations, youth related government reports, and information on experts and other professionals that have a interest in youth related issues

6.    Have available an extensive library with a wide range of publications such as theses, published research, governmental reports, periodicals and an ample selection of audio visual materials

7.    Strong existence of relationships with governmental bodies, local and international organizations and societies and similar research centers

Objectives of the National Center

Centers Core Objective

·         To do studies, research, assessments and questionnaires on social , psychological and behavioral youth related issues, giving suggestions and clear recommendations to improve the standards of the youth and remedying any problems they may face

Centers Objectives

1.    Delivering specialized scientific research studies on a wide range of topical youth  issues either through using specialists that are attached to the center or in collaboration and partnership with other specialist research institutions

2.    Observe and study youth related social issues, phenomena and problems that have an impact on their social and psychological well being and then giving suggestions and recommendations about improving or addressing the problems/issues

3.    Doing evaluative research and become acquitted with certain areas of excellence and weakness. Also give practical and scientific suggestions and provide solution focused arguments to remedy them

4.    To study the establishment of a national youth project whose primary objective would be to act as a caring agent in order to help the youth deal with their issues and problems

5.    Setting up information and databases about youth related issues and problems that affect them in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and also to update and share this information with other agencies that work within the multi agency approach on youth matters

How we will deliver our Objectives

1.    Doing consultative research to various public and private bodies within the scope of the centers remit and specialization

2.    Delivering strategic studies related to the vision and future plans of youth issues and their needs

3.    Organizing youth related conferences, symposia's and workshops at a local, regional and international level

4.    Issue specialized scientific journals, bulletins, periodicals, booklets and other awareness raising publications about youth related concerns and issues

5.    Developing a communication channel between the National Center and other specialized centers in youth research across the world to learn, share information and work in partnership on joint projects to create new and innovative ways of working with youth

6.     Be an active agent in project managing a number of youth employment, training and skills development programs to help equip them with the skills and knowledge for the current and future labor market

7.    Setting up a central information database for researchers and specialists in the field of youth, and to catalogue all the publications about youth and their various issues in books, articles, periodicals, information bullets and other related materials

8.    To create a specialized, scientific library and setting up adequate references and studies related to the centers area of interest

Members of the Executive Committee

 

Members of the board of directors

The Center’s affairs and policies are managed by a board of directors, who are the following: