HUDA AL-TANIJI (ABU DHABI)
The Arab Youth Center recorded significant achievements in 2023, most notably the adoption of its strategy for the next five years by the approval of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs at the Presidential Court, and President of the Arab Youth Center.
The strategy aims to empower Arab youth, focusing on enhancing national identity and the Arabic language, building character, reinforcing positive citizenship values, and ultimately developing the youth work sector in the Arab region.
Sadiq Jarrar, the Executive Director of the Arab Youth Center, said that the Arab Youth Center is preparing to launch major projects during the first quarter of this year, including the third edition of the Arab Youth Podcast programme in January.
“Under the patronage of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Arab Youth Center, the largest event within the centre’s programmes will be organised during the World Government Summit. It is the third edition of the Arab Youth Leadership Meeting, which will address questions about what it means to be Arab and the role of values in enhancing aspects of national identity among youth,” Jarrar said.
Arab youth ministers, leaders of institutions empowering Arab youth, and a selection of young leaders in various sectors will participate in the event, he added.
Jarrar emphasised that the meeting will contribute to enhancing joint Arab youth work, disseminating a set of knowledge products to assist decision-makers and youth in the field of human investment.
It also aims to channel youth energies towards development paths, and strengthen their connection to identity and the Arabic language.
This is achieved by adhering to human principles inspired by Arab and Islamic values, in addition to showcasing prominent practices and experiences in the field of sustainable development work, according to Jarrar.
On her part, Jawaher Bani Hammad, Director of Partnerships at the Arab Youth Center, said that in 2023 the centre witnessed many accomplishments, including organising 14 events with the participation of over 16,000 individuals from more than 20 Arab and foreign countries.
They underwent about 700 training hours, participated in 70 training sessions, and joined more than 250 meetings and workshops with decision-makers. The centre also executed three research knowledge products, all of which were in partnership with 180 entities and sponsored by 15 government and private entities, she added.
Sustainability
As the UAE marked 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, the centre focused on sustainability through the Arab Youth Council for Climate Change, launched in 2022 to serve as a regional platform promoting Arab youth interaction with environmental issues.
It supports Arab strategies related to the environment and climate change, contributing to moulding opinion leaders and young innovators in the field of climate action.
The Arab Youth Council led various initiatives, including the “Sustainable Future Financing” meetings, consisting of periodic discussion sessions. The aim is to empower youth and enhance their leading role in adopting sustainable behaviours in future societies.
Additionally, the Arab Youth Council for Climate Change was launched to engage Arab youth from various specialties.
The council was launched in collaboration with the League of Arab States, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and the Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Affairs.
It partnered with several private Arab institutions eager to contribute to climate events and support youth work related to climate change issues. Its purpose is to support youth work on climate change issues and engage them in innovating sustainable preemptive solutions to the climate change challenge.
Green Media SkillsIn 2023, the Arab Youth Center organised the fifth edition of the “Young Arab Media Leaders” programme to work together to provide participants with skills and experiences to create a generation of distinguished youth in the media field. The programme aimed to explore talents capable of contributing to the development of the future of the media industry in the Arab world.
Conference of the Parties
The centre also participated in the COP28 Climate Conference in 2023 after hosting the Arab Youth Center and its partners for the COY18 Youth for Climate Conference, with the participation of about 1000 young people representing around 170 countries worldwide. They aimed to amplify their voices and convey their ideas and aspirations to raise awareness about climate change and sustainability issues.
Last year also witnessed the launch of the Arabic Language Youth Council, which represents the culmination of the partnership between the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center and the Arab Youth Center, in collaboration with the Bil Arabi initiative, which is part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation.
The centre also collaborated with the Zai Center, a pioneering new research center focused on Arabic teaching at Zayed University. The council contributed to enriching linguistic work with contemporary ideas and incorporating language-related issues into the focus of the new generations.
The Arabic Language
Youth Council also launched the Arabic Dictionary for Environmental Terms during the “Sustainability in Arab Culture” event organised by the Arab Youth Center on the sidelines of COP28 conference. The dictionary, a result of collaboration between the Arabic Language Youth Council, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center, aims to provide a scientifically and linguistically sound reference for terms related to the environment in English and their Arabic equivalents. The first chapter of the dictionary focused on “Environmental Quality Terms,” with work ongoing to complete the remaining chapters.
Young Diplomats
In the realm of diplomacy and negotiation, the centre introduced the Young Arab Diplomatic Leaders Program with the goal of preparing a competent generation of young Arab diplomatic leaders to represent Arab issues on the international stage.
The centre organised an intensive training camp in collaboration with the European Union Mission to the UAE, aiming to enhance the capabilities of youth working in the diplomatic field and develop negotiation skills for those not currently involved in diplomacy. The programme supports them in acquiring experiences and knowledge, enabling effective participation in international discussions and negotiations.
Furthermore, the centre organised the second edition of the negotiation skills training camp, “Batch 52”, under the umbrella of the Young Arab Diplomatic Leaders Program. It was done in partnership with the European Union Mission to the UAE and in collaboration with the Youth Climate Team of COP28, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency.
The camp, attended by more than 52 young participants from various government ministries and agencies in the UAE, focused on building youth capabilities and comprehensive mastery in the fields of policies and negotiations, particularly regarding climate issues.
On a global scale, the centre launched the Ambassadors of Tolerance initiative under the Young Arab Diplomatic Leaders Program.
Also, the “My Story” series, produced by the Arab Youth Center in collaboration with Sky News Arabia, ranked first and second globally in the categories of entrepreneurship and education content.
The second edition of the Arab Youth Leaders initiative was also launched to celebrate the achievements of young people, highlight their potential, and support their successes.