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Understanding the issue
Throughout the early 21st century, Yemen has been a country with a rapidly increasing population where the infrastructure, education system and economic growth struggle to keep up with ever increasing demands.
Yemen spent a significant portion of its modern history as two countries, commonly known as ‘North Yemen’ and ‘South Yemen’. This history continues to influence how many people see the country today.
In many areas of the country, the youth (those below 26 years old) make up more than half of the population (65%). The Arab Spring movement of 2011 was predominantly led in Yemen by the youth, which resulted in older members of Yemen’s society blaming the proceeding crisis upon the influence of the youth. In a highly traditional culture, the large number of youth in the community can create social conflict and a divide between the older and younger generations.
Yemen is a highly tribal society, where a person’s tribe demands their loyalty and forms a part of their personal identity. The political divisions have used these loyalties to provide support for various agendas and exacerbated many of the existing dividing lines. The Yemen crisis that started in 2015 has further divided the country creating more factions and thus more sources for conflict in the community.
Our Response
ITDC provides a variety of programs, training and community initiatives to address the social friction and conflicts that can exist within Yemeni society.
PEACE BUILDING COURSE: This courses uses materials addressing conflict sensitivity, conflict management, and conflict resolution. Participants learn to value the differences between people, the importance of serving others and helps them to question biases or prejudices that drive them apart. The course is usually conducted in a 5 day, 20 hour format, although the length and scope can be adjusted in order to address the issues in the target community.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: This course is focused on equipping participants with tools for their relationships including how to identify their emotions and recognize the value of being in a team or family. The modules help people move from knowing themselves to seeing how they can add value to their community as well as communicate in ways that generate the response they seek.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: This course focuses on helping Yemenis find healthy ways to engage with their authorities. Participants learn about the functions of government, how to address the governing authorities as well as how to advocate in beneficial ways that avoid widening the conflict as well as rejecting violence.