The BBC is launching a five-stop tour of the Middle East and Africa to engage Arabic-speaking youngsters in a debate about their lives through the radio and internet.

A BBC Arabic roadshow entitled 'Your future, who decides it?' starts in Cairo and travels through Jordan, Sudan, the West Bank and Syria, aiming to encourage debate around a range of issues relevant to young people.

The roadshow will include interactive booths placed in universities, shopping malls, gyms and coffee shops, where youngsters can air their opinions - as well as a website asking for opinions and debates broadcast on BBC Arabic and webcast live.

"It is obviously right that we include amongst our long-established audience the generation who will be setting the pace for social and economic development in the years ahead," said Jerry Timmins, the regional head of BBC Middle East.

"After all, this is the generation who will increasingly expect their news provision to be multimedia, accessible and relevant on a variety of platforms 24-hours a day - something the BBC is well positioned to provide."

Hosam El Sokkari, the head of BBC Arabic service, added: "Across the Arabic-speaking world, young people are in the majority in terms of numbers but usually have a minority voice ... We are taking BBC Arabic to them so we can access their views directly."

The first live debate will be broadcast on BBC Arabic from Cairo University on February 20 at 15.00GMT. It covers the topic of "traditional marriage, obstacles and alternatives" featuring Dr Abdel Baset Abdel Mutee, sociology professor at Ein Shams University and writer Farida al-Nakkash, among others.

BBC Arabic has over 12 million listeners, while bbcarabic.com achieves 17 million page impressions a month, according to the corporation.

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