Shaping Tomorrow in Changing Global Societies: Young People’s Roles and Influence amid Morocco's New Development Model’s Policies and 2030 FIFA World Cup Development Plans

Globalization is rapidly transforming the economic and cultural landscapes of the Global South, yet young people's pivotal role in shaping their societies' future remains undervalued. In the Middle East and North Africa, governments invest in development policies to address economic instability and high youth unemployment. However, these initiatives often overlook youth perspectives, potentially failing to provide sustainable prospects. This gap underscores the urgent need for youth-centered global development research to inform policy recommendations.

This interdisciplinary study bridges Youth Studies and Global Development Studies, exploring how young Moroccans negotiate their agency amid significant regional changes. Through immersive ethnography, I examine the lives and aspirations of 15-30 year-olds on Morocco's Atlantic coast — an area experiencing unprecedented transformation due to the country's New Development Model and preparations for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Using a post-Fordist lens and acknowledging globalization's power dynamics, the study critically addresses 3 research questions:

1. How do young people’s new aspirations, subcultures and innovative entrepreneurial ventures drive regional economic and cultural shifts?
2. To what extent can youth influence Morocco's development policies, and how to amplify their voices in decision-making processes?
3. How do globalization and neo-liberalization of Morocco's society impact its youth, and how are young people, in turn, shaping these processes?

The research has direct policy implications due to my collaboration with international research teams appointed to issue policy recommendations. By providing a youth-centred perspective, this research ensures inclusive bottom-up policy decisions. On the macro level, the study critically examines globalization processes and Global North influences on policies shaping the future of Global South youth and societies.