EXECUTIVE SUMMARY of unemployed youth and to integrate them into society, without distinction as to their gender. 3.84 The government‟s strategy in this regard has centred on three areas: education, an active employment policy, and the establishment of a database for young people. First, education was made a particular focus of attention. The Algerian government made education compulsory for young persons. Education is free for everyone at all levels, regardless of the type of public establishment. 3.85 The Algerian government then introduced a national policy on employment, which is supported by a national strategy for combating poverty and exclusion. Alternative employment options, run essentially by a network of specialised agencies, were set up for the youth. Through innovative schemes like microcredit, entrepreneurship, labour-intensive public works, pre-employment contracts (CPEs), local-initiative salaried employment and allowances for activities of general interest, the level of unemployment dropped. Many young people were able to acquire the professional experience and know-how to guarantee their employability. 3.86 Between 2001 and 2005, over DA100 billion were pumped into schemes to help create jobs and this partially resolved the problem of unemployed youth. The CPE, ANSEJ schemes and micro-credit helped unemployed young people join the workforce and strengthened the employability of this marginalised and frustrated group. 3.87 Although they represent three-quarters of the population, the young people in Algeria are not involved in the legislative or budget process and there is no government mechanism for systematic consultation of the youth on matters that affect them. Moreover, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which coordinates government actions targeted at young people, experiences serious human, technical and material constraints that prevent it from playing its role effectively. 3.88 The APR Panel would recommend that: (i) a real mechanism for dialogue with young people be put in place to involve them in decision-making, at least on issues that affect their lives; (ii) the human, material and financial capacity of youth organisations and civil society be strengthened; and (iii) the resources of the Ministry of Youth and Sports be boosted to ensure that all government initiatives in every sector of economic and social life take the concerns of young people into account. 3.5.5 Territorial development 3.89 24 With a population of 33 million in an area that is the largest in Africa after Sudan, Algeria is a heavyweight on the African continent and is likely to play a more important role in economic integration of the continent in the future. The country must, however, begin by resolving certain problems and the many imbalances.