Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024 Highlights Strategies For Youth Empowerment And Future Success

The Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024 featured a compelling discussion titled "Youth: A Positive Outlook for the Future." The panel focused on empowering young people as catalysts for progress and global change. Esteemed speakers included Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfeeqi, Bahrain's Minister of Youth Affairs. Lubna Mansour from Sky News Arabia moderated the session.

Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi highlighted the critical role of education in preparing youth for future challenges. He stressed the importance of instilling skills such as critical thinking, effective research, and responsible use of technologies like artificial intelligence from an early age. Emotional awareness and interpersonal skills were also noted as essential for personal and professional success.

Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfeeqi discussed Bahrain’s strategy for youth empowerment, which includes scouting and discovering talent across various sectors. This approach has resulted in a comprehensive national database of youth talents. Each individual in this database has a defined pathway to unlock their potential, illustrating Bahrain’s commitment to turning challenges into opportunities.

The Federal Youth Authority’s National Youth Agenda 2031 was highlighted by Dr. Al Neyadi as a pivotal initiative. It aims to position Emirati youth as global role models contributing to economic and social development. The agenda focuses on enhancing youth contributions to national economic growth, community engagement, global change, mastering future technologies, and achieving high standards of health and quality of life.

The panel emphasised the shared responsibility in empowering youth and nurturing their skills, values, and well-being. By fostering collaboration across nations and leveraging technology, education, and innovation, young leaders can transform challenges into opportunities for growth. This collaborative effort is crucial in ensuring that youth play a pivotal role in shaping the future.

Dr. Al Neyadi underscored the importance of starting awareness efforts from primary school to prepare younger generations effectively. He believes that equipping children with necessary skills will ensure they are ready to face future challenges head-on.

Tawfeeqi reiterated that empowering youth is a collective responsibility. She expressed Bahrain’s dedication to creating opportunities for young people to thrive despite challenges they may face.

The session demonstrated how innovative strategies could empower young generations as drivers of progress and global change. By focusing on education, technology, and collaboration across borders, the forum showcased how young leaders can turn obstacles into growth opportunities.

With inputs from WAM