*** ----> International Youth Conference opens | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

International Youth Conference opens

ManamaThe ninth International Youth Conference opened yesterday at the University of Bahrain in the presence of more than 1,000 participants from over 29 countries.

The opening ceremony was patronised and attended by His Majesty the King’s Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

This year’s conference has the slogan ‘Give Back’ and focuses on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s and the role of the youth in achieving them. 

The event is organised by Youth and Sports Affairs Ministry in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme and the League of Arab states.

In his keynote address, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa called for more global collaboration to achieve the development goals put forward by the United Nations to serve humanity and to eliminate poverty. 

“The difference of cultures, origins or beliefs aren’t an obstacle in the path of improving the lives of others,” he said. 

Shaikh Nasser also highlighted that by implementing SDGs, “We are fulfilling the dreams or visions that world leaders seek to achieve.”

“They are guidelines for our decisions and steps on public and private affairs.”

Commenting on the slogan, “Give Back”, HH Shaikh Nasser said, “The slogan tell the world that it is time for them to give back some of what the planet offered us, in a way that ensures its sustainability and preservation.”

“Give Back reflects the content of the 17 sustainable development goals that should guide humanity towards a life of goodness and giving,” he added. 

Guest of honour at the conference, Australian Author and Motivational Speaker Saroo Brierley expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom for annually hosting the conference.

He praised the step taken by the Kingdom in offering youth the opportunity to plan innovative schemes to serve humanity and eliminate poverty.

On the occasion, Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Hisham Al Jowder presented HH Shaikh Nasser a memento as a token of appreciation for his patronage of the conference.