His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Arab Youth Center, emphasised the role of youth in shaping the future and leading development paths.
This came during his visit to the Arab Youth Center (AYC) in Abu Dhabi where he met with the members of the AYC and approved the centre's plan for 2023 and strategy for the next five years, aimed at empowering Arab youth in their countries.
Continuous commitment to empowering Arab youth
His Highness affirmed Arab Youth Center's continued commitment to empowering Arab youth to drive development in society and be an active contributor to progress, based on their capabilities and skills, while utilising the empowering ecosystem to transform their creative ideas into reality.
His Highness said: "With the support of their leaders, countries and societies, young people today are in an advanced position to benefit from technological development, digital transformation and scientific research to lead development in their societies and build the future they aspire to, driven by their ambitions and limitless determination."
His Highness indicated that the Arab Youth Center plan for 2023 will focus on Arabic identity and language, building personality, as well as consolidating positive citizenship values and building capabilities and skills, which leads to more progress in the youth sector in the Arab region.
His Highness commended the efforts of the Arab Youth Center team, which is keen to share the model of youth empowerment in the UAE with everyone, and continuously contribute to the building Arab youth’s capabilities, which reflects positively on the progress and prosperity of societies in the Arab world.
This year's achievements and next year's plan
His Highness was briefed on the outputs of the Young Arab Media Leaders Program, the Arab Youth Podcast Training Program, and the Arab Youth Technology Fellowship (AYTF) Program for Arab Youth; and the initiatives of Audio Books and Arab Youth Blogs, and the efforts of members of the Youth Development Delegates in the Arab Region, and the impact, plans and programs of the Arab Youth Councils for Climate Change and Scientific Research, in addition to the outputs of the Arab Youth Meeting for Young Leaders in partnership with the World Government Summit 2022 and ongoing preparations for the second edition next February.
His Highness directed the adoption of the new Arab Youth Center strategy for the next five years to focus on four main pillars related to building capacities and focusing on skills, promoting positive citizenship, strengthening the connection to the Arabic language and identity, and developing the youth work sector in the Arab region. Under the pillar of building capabilities and skills, the AYC will seek to provide opportunities for personal development, build capabilities and refine skills through training programmes, specialised forums, events, initiatives, and joint projects. While the positive citizenship pillar will focus on instilling a sense of active citizenship among Arab youth in their societies and raising awareness of their responsibilities towards their future and their countries.
Data and partnerships as enablers
The Arab Youth Center strategy is based on key enablers, data and studies, based on the perspectives of young people who will be engaged in designing initiatives, providing solutions and sharing results with all stakeholders of empowering Arab youth in the public and private sectors. In addition the strategy aims to build partnerships with governments, companies and international organisations concerned with youth work sector, to empower young people and support efforts to achieve their aspirations in various programmes and initiatives.
