OBJECTIVES:

     The conference aims to create an increase regional awareness with community based programs and to advocate for Health Care Providers to prevent and face the unmet needs of the adolescents and youth population in the MENA Region. The investing in adolescents’ health, development and well-being is the most cost-effective investment a nation can make for the future. The specific objectives of the conference are:

• To enhance understanding of the key concepts in adolescents and youth health
• To address cultural barriers that hinder adolescent and young girls to live an active healthy life, and provide solutions
• To highlight key challenges and barriers in adolescents and youth health at different levels (primary health care including school health, parents, community and other concerned sectors)
• To identify multi-sectoral experiences, innovations and practices in adolescents and youth health
• To highlight mechanisms to put adolescents as key players in protection of their own health
• To create awareness to the negative aspects in adolescents and youth health and how to challenge premature death in this age group

THEMES OF THE CONFERENCE:

The conference will be held under the main theme: Together; in providing holistic adolescents and youth care.” so as to coincide with the call of the UN Secretary General. Participants would examine and discuss the following issues:

• What do we know about our adolescents and youth in the Region?
• Regional challenges to advance their health and developments.
• What are the approaches for better holistic approach for adolescent and youth health and development?
• How to enhance the multisector approach for implementation of adolescent and youth health and wellbeing interventions?
• Enhancing multisector implementation of adolescent and youth health evidence based interventions
• pre-service education and training to promote adolescent and youth health and well being
• Needs and expectations for a better quality of life for adolescents and youth
• Are we taking good care of them? Who is responsible for that?
• Issues that are faced by major stakeholders; parents, schools and the media
• Impact of sociocultural factors; are they protective or barriers?

The conference sessions will be categorized under the following themes:

Day1:

ADOLESCENT AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

• Adolescent's Growth and Development
• Adolescent brain Development
• Mental health issues/illnesses among school age adolescents and university`s students
• Acadmic pressure and poor school performance
• Tobacco and substance Abuse
• Youth friendly services: Counseling for adolescents and youth,…
• Protective factors and their impact on adolescent health
• Socio-legal consequences

Day2:

1-NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (NCDS) among adolescent and youth

• Obesity among adolescents
• Eating disorders and eating behaviors
• Body image and self esteem
• Nutrition and healthy lifestyles
• Road Traffic Accidents
• Chronic diseases (Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma,….)
• Coping with chronic diseases 
• Transition of care
• Barriers of quality of care
• Translating research into actions: best practices tackling risky behaviors to prevent   NCDs

2-ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

• Health Education and Curriculum Activities
• Premarital counseling
• Childhood Marriage

Day3:

MULTI-SECTORAL INVESTMENTS IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH HEALTH

• Health Promoting Schools
• Peer Education
• University Health Initiatives
• Youth Spaces
• Media
• Ministry of Education Initiatives
• Child and Adolescents Protection Initiatives
• Services for Special needs group

Beside oral presentations and scientific discussions, the conference will have:

• Panel discussions and keynote lectures
• Exhibition
• Interactive sessions with youth
• Youth corner (Graphics, world café,…..)