Empowering Tunisian Youth Through IP
30 de julio de 2024
WIPO and the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports joined forces to offer a workshop for Tunisian youth on creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and intellectual property (IP). The workshop was held from July 20 to 23, 2024 for the benefit of 50 Tunisian youth club leaders who benefited from interactive lessons on the practical applications of IP concepts in creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The participants, 54% of which were women, came from 24 Tunisian cities and represented different backgrounds from robotics, to photography, theater, sports and science.
What did the workshop cover?
The workshop which was delivered in the framework of WIPO’s IP and Youth Empowerment Strategy (IP-YES!) and the IP For Youth and Teaches Program consisted of an online phase followed by in-person training at the youth center of Hammamet in Tunisia.
The interactive workshop featured games and competitions alongside lessons on:
- The Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ)
- IP concepts such as copyright, patents, industrial designs and trademarks
- Key takeaways from real-life success stories of IP in action
- How to showcase skills and projects through personal branding on social media
- Practical methods for marketing creations and inventions to build business opportunities and networks
The workshop culminated in a video competition to foster teamwork and creativity. The participants also engaged in a year-long coaching agreement on their entrepreneurial endeavors by other successful young entrepreneurs, creators and influencers from Tunisia.
What the participants are saying?
“Honestly, I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of this experience. As a painter and writer, my ideas are very important to me, and I wouldn’t want them to be lost. I discovered that the concept of intellectual property opens a significant door in my life, ensuring my ideas are protected and not lost in vain. This program has also taught me invaluable skills, such as working collaboratively with different teams and groups. I’ve learned to face problems head-on and find creative solutions. The sessions were so engaging that I often wished they could last longer. Normally, I get bored quickly, but the sessions passed in the blink of an eye. The atmosphere was incredible, and I cherished every moment of it.”
Ms. Aya Zamali, Interior Architecture Student
“The experience has been truly enriching, not only for me but also for all the young people involved. We have learned many valuable skills, starting with how to think outside the box and approach problems with creative solutions. This training has also taught us how to produce something truly innovative and, more importantly, how to protect our creations. This progress is significant because it empowers young people to safeguard their work and ideas, ensuring that their creativity is recognized and valued.”
Ms. Izdihar Alabed, Youth Facilitator
The role of the TANIT Youth Innovation Hub
The training program empowered Tunisian youth to harness creativity and innovation by equipping them with the tools needed to protect and market their initiatives. The efforts undertaken in this program contribute to youth-driven innovation and entrepreneurship and mark the start of the TANIT Youth Innovation Hub, which serves as a platform for Tunisian youth to develop their skills, collaborate, and bring forward impactful solutions to real-world challenges. Through such partnerships, WIPO is nurturing confident and resourceful youth innovators who are prepared to shape their futures and drive sustainable progress in Tunisia and beyond.