Based on the second annual ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey, most Arab youth, regardless of their ethnicity, nationality or religion consider themselves global citizens, and prefer to live in a democratic society with good relations with the international community, writes Hala Khalaf for The National.

The survey was conducted in October 2009 by the international polling firm Penn Schoen & Berland Associated (PSB), and was comprised of 2,000 face-to-face interviews with Arab nationals and Arab expatriates. The subjects were all between the ages of 18-24 and live in nine Middle Eastern countries-- Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.

The revelation of that Arab youth regard themselves as “citizens of the world” counters the common Western misperception that Arabs are "conservative and inward-looking," comments The Peninsula.

According to the survey, the top priorities listed among the interviewees included living in a democratic society, followed by good infrastructure and a good educational system, writes Rachelle Kliger of The Media Line.

In Kuwait, 99% of the surveyed youth were concerned the most about democracy among 16 other topics, with 97%-85% of youth in the remaining countries also listing democracy as their top priority, according to the Kipp Report.

The Middle East business director at PSB, Robert Kellman, stresses that while living in a democratic society was the subjects’ top-ranked priority, it does not mean that they are straying from the traditional framework of their societies into an American-style democracy.

Kellman tell the news source that instead, “They want democracy, but they want it here in the Arab world,” adding that, “Arab youths are prioritizing democratic institutions that encapsulate aspects of the Arab mindset.”

However, the Global Vice Chair of Burson-Marsteller and former US Under Secretary of State Karen Hughes highlighted some serious concerns among Arab youth when announcing the survey results in Dubai.

"More than two-thirds of respondents were very concerned about the rising cost of living, while the shortage of affordable housing was their second biggest worry, followed by unemployment," announced Hughes in a news conference, reports Middle East Online.

Hughes adds that despite their worries, "In general, youth in the Middle East are confident about the direction in which the region is heading." Kellman agrees, saying that "the main highlights [of the survey] are how optimistic youth are given the recession.”

While the first Arab youth study in 2008 was based on an online survey only, Kellman believes that the second survey has greater reach and depth, reports AME Info. He asserts, "The interview sample is weighted to reflect the socio-economic make-up of the participating countries, the geographical distribution of the population within them, and the opinions of women as well as men."

The Chief Executive Officer of ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller, Sunil John, emphasizes the importance of such initiatives in "addressing the needs of the Middle East's largest demographic," and utilizing "an evidence-based approach is essential to understanding and meeting those needs."

Similarly, another regional partner of the public relations consultancy, Joseph Ghossoub, discussed the significance and implications of the study in the region.

"By examining a wide range of issues, the insights from the survey will be of relevance to the broadest spectrum of experts, including policymakers, marketers, the business community and the media."

Ghossoub adds, "Our hope is that the survey results will spark greater understanding of the priorities and indeed action on the ground."