5YOUTH AND GOVERNANCE

Good governance and applicable legislation are prerequisites for urban growth and sustainability; it’s only through good urban governance and accountable leadership that a city can be able to deploy appropriate and effective policies, enforce rules and regulations, and create adequate institutional frameworks required for shared growth and prosperity. The role of women and youth in governance is a hot topic that concerns Saudi Arabia as well as many other countries.43 In general, young women and men are the most engaged group when it comes to demonstrations or other form of civic and political campaign but they are often absent in the processes of decision-making on issues related to their cities and in the formulation of national policies and laws 44

Although they comprise the majority of the population, Saudi women and youth generally are not seen as relevant players in the local governance dynamics. This has led to the marginalization and exclusion of youth from the processes of decision-making, creating a persistent challenge for the Saudi local and national governance. Recognizing young men and women as a crucial actor for the city development can provide new and improved contributions to the local and national governance structures and strategy. The formulation of a more inclusive urban policy framework can be achieved by involving youth in decision-making processes both at local and national level. This will enhance the development of processes of governance and will increase the consensus over the Kingdom’s political decisions. 43 UN-Habitat (2012). Young people, Participation, and Sustainable Development in an Urbanizing World. 44 Harvard Kennedy School (2015)