Interwoven Conventions, Innovations, and Generations: Youth Development Through Conflict Resolution Training in North Africa

Abstract

With waves of reforms following popular protests, democratic transitions and elections, and increasing ideological polarization within and across borders, the discourse about North Africa from 2011 onward has largely focused on the big pictures of a rising generation in revolution, youth bulge, extremist recruitment, and social unrest. This chapter documents the authors’ participation in the implementation of conflict resolution training programs for youth conflict resolution and leadership roles in Morocco and Tunisia. The training provided youth with a basic tool kit of conflict resolution approaches, from which they could engage in conflict transformation in their communities and engage as leaders in larger social issues. Fundamentally, youth are symbols for liminality between old and new, tradition and change, and learning from their responses to conflict offers unique insights into evolving models for reconciliation.