Youth Central to Bahrain’s Future

 Lawmakers say the King’s Youth City visit reinforces trust in young Bahrainis and their role in national development 

His Majesty King Hamad’s visit to Youth City 2030 sent a strong message that young Bahrainis are central to the country’s future, MPs have said.

Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam said the visit showed the King’s wish to meet young people face to face, hear from them and keep youth at the core of Bahrain’s development.

More than 9,000 young men and women have taken part in Youth City 2030, with training, skills schemes and opportunities offered through local and overseas partnerships.

Mr Al Musallam said the HM the King’s praise for the scheme’s record and the scale of youth turnout would spur further work. He also welcomed the King’s call to keep giving young Bahrainis the skills and chances needed to take on leading roles.

Parliament, he said, would continue to support laws and schemes that give young people room to learn, create and take part in public life.

MP Hassan Ebrahim said the royal visit showed the trust placed in Bahrain’s youth.

Meeting young people and hearing about their hopes and work, he said, would give them added drive to succeed and raise Bahrain’s standing in different fields.

He pointed to the 9,000-plus turnout as proof of the appetite among young Bahrainis to gain skills and prepare for work and future roles.

MP Maryam Al Sayegh said the visit carried an equally clear message: youth empowerment is a first-order choice for Bahrain’s future.

She said the King’s talks with participants, his interest in their projects and his words to them had left a strong mark.

Youth City 2030, she added, is offering more than 324 training programmes and 10,000 training opportunities aimed at building skills, leadership and a stronger sense of citizenship.

The MPs also praised the support given to young Bahrainis by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and General Sports Authority chairman Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Ms Al Sayegh also thanked Youth Affairs Minister Rawan Tawfiqi, staff and volunteers for their work on this year’s Youth City.

MPs pledged continued parliamentary support for laws and schemes giving young Bahrainis greater opportunities in training, work and public life.