TRENDS Research & Advisory’s researchers actively participated in the “First Africa World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR) SSA conference”, held in Mombasa, Kenya, from April 15th to 18th, 2024, under the theme: “Shaping a Sustainable Future: The Lessons and Legacies from Opinion Polling in Africa”.
The event shed light on the pivotal role of opinion polls in navigating the complex landscape of sustainable development initiatives across diverse environmental, economic, and social challenges. It mainly focused on exploring how these polls can inform the identification of development priorities and monitor progress towards achieving sustainable development goals.
Community Reform
During the conference, Dr. Mohammed Farid Azzi, a Scientific Advisor to the Global Barometer Department at TRENDS, delivered a research paper titled: “The Attitudes of Arab Maghreb Youth towards Reform and Change”. He explained that the demographic of youths, aged between 15 and 29, constitutes approximately 30% of North Africa’s population. They demonstrate a robust aspiration to drive societal reform and advance their nations forward.
Adding, he said: “To assess the North African youth’s inclination towards economic and social reform, thorough analysis was performed on extensive data sourced from the Arab Barometer opinion polls. The results revealed a significant level of interest among young people in instigating reforms within the economic framework, thereby providing them with the opportunity to actively engage in positive change”.
Political Disengagement and Imigration
Dr. Ezzi highlighted that contrary to common assumptions about the political maturity of young people, most of them actually prefer gradual change, as revealed by the data driven from the Arab Barometer. However, their lack of clear leadership and a cohesive community development plan often leads to marginalization. Consequently, there’s reluctance to engage politically and indifference towards public affairs, exacerbating the phenomenon of immigration to Europe.
He also noted that half of the North African population, according to the Arab Barometer data revealed, holds an optimistic economic outlook for their countries. Notably, Algeria leads with the highest positivity, while Tunisia lags behind with the lowest optimism. Conversely, Egypt stands out with the highest percentage of negative economic expectations.
Lessons and Legacies
The conference delved into various themes and subjects throughout its four-day duration, examining the lessons and legacies of opinion polls in Africa, as well as innovations in the field. It also explored the pivotal role of opinion polls in sustainable development.
Sessions at the conference delved into the evolving impact of digital technology on public opinion research and emphasized the significance of inclusivity in such research endeavors. Specifically, there was a focus on incorporating diverse voices and perspectives, including those of women and youth.
