WCVE Forum June 12: “Roots of the Arab Spring”

Unemployment and anemic economies were fire-starters in the demonstrations that spread across the Arab word earlier this year. And while the Arab Spring toppled some regimes, bread and butter issues continue to plague the region. Democracy alone won’t be enough to deal with a simple demographic Achilles’ heel -- nearly a quarter of Arabs under 30 are jobless. America Abroad speaks to Arab youth searching for work in Yemen and travels to Morocco to hear from young people who’ve postponed marriage until they can save their Dirhams.

Segment 1: Sean Carberry travels to Yemen to examine dire employment prospects for young people and the challenges of draining the pool of potential terrorist recruits.

Segment 2: Jordana Gustafson reports from Jordan on the state of the country’s educational system and why college graduates there find themselves searching several years for employment.

Segment 3: Sean Carberry travels to Morocco to explore how economic conditions are causing a delay in marriage and shifts in social and sexual customs.

Segment 4: Deborah Amos and Monica Bushman examine factors that drive so many young people to leave Lebanon and how Lebanese immigrants are faring in the United States.

Extra: Deborah Amos also reports from Egypt on the marriage crisis across the Middle East and how young Egyptians are using social media for a more open government and social change.

Distinguished foreign correspondent Deborah Amos of NPR News is the host/anchor.

Join WCVE Public Radio on Sunday June 12 at 6:00 p.m. for this special program on WCVE Forum.