Democracy top of youth agenda

Living in a democracy is the most important issue for the majority of young Arabs, according to a new report from the Dubai-based public relations company Asdaa Burson-Marsteller. Its third annual Arab Youth Survey, published on 15 March, was based on 2,000 interviews by associate company Penn Schoen Berland between 27 December 2010 and 20 January 2011. Interviews were also conducted with a further 500 youths between 26 February and 5 March, amid unrest in the region. The survey focuses on attitudes among nationals and expatriates aged 18 to 24 in ten countries: the six countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq.