Master’s Degree Awarded to Mr. Mohammed Adel in International Development Studies

Mr. Mohammed Adel Abdu Al-Khadshi was awarded a Master’s degree in International Development Studies for his thesis titled: The Role of Volunteerism in Improving the Economic Status of Yemeni Youth in Local Civil Society Organizations, which was submitted to the Inclusive Development Research Center, Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:

The study aimed to clarify the role of volunteerism in enhancing the economic status of Yemeni youth, through a field study conducted on civil society organizations in the Capital Secretariat, Sana’a.

The findings revealed that youth motivation for volunteer participation primarily stems from their desire to strengthen their CVs and increase their employment opportunities in the labor market. Results further demonstrated that capacity building through training programs significantly contributes to developing leadership, management, communication, and teamwork skills, which in turn empower youth economically and socially and prepare them for the labor market.

Furthermore, the study established ‎that volunteer work enhances the likelihood of obtaining permanent employment by equipping participants with practical skills and work experience. It also boosts volunteers’ self-confidence and ability to achieve their professional goals.

The researcher presented several key recommendations:

• Integrating volunteer experienceinto youth employment preparation programs, with formal recognition of such experience as valid practical credentials for inclusion in professional resumes to facilitate labor market integration.
• Developing incentive systemsthat incorporate both material and symbolic rewards appropriate to voluntary work nature, while preserving the fundamental principle of unpaid service.
• Strengthening organizational frameworksfor volunteer work within local civil society organizations through preparation of standardized contracts to protect volunteer rights and the inclusion of provisions for accident insurance and safe working environments. Such measures would improve volunteer retention rates and institutional belonging.

The thesis defense was attended by several academics, researchers, students, and interested parties, along with the researcher’s colleagues and family members.