‘Youth empowerment a top national priority’

TDT | Manama

Empowering youth to be part of the work force is on top of Bahrain’s priorities, Foreign Affairs Ministry undersecretary Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa stressed yesterday. Dr Shaikh Abdulla, who is also the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) board of trustees’ chairman, said this as he participated in a visual interactive discussion entitled “Hipo Youth”, held as part of the advanced leadership programme initiatives held for the second year in a row, in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs and Bahrain Institute of Public Administration (BIPA).

The “Hipo Youth” advanced leadership programme seeks to introduce young people to best practices in various sciences and knowledge, in order to qualify them to come up with innovative projects. Dr Shaikh Abdulla said that, in line with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision that youth are the future energy, they should be involved in national decisions once they are properly prepared.

He said that the King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals is an example to celebrate the youth’s efforts around the world, with the aim of investing their energy and creativity.

The Derasat chairman noted that HM the King’s Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs Representative, National Security Advisor and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) chairman His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa is a youth leadership role model, who holds initiatives and transforms young people into remarkable successes.

Dr Shaikh Abdulla discussed some of the successful initiatives, such as the Bahrain Scientific Centre for Sustainable Development Goals, Manama, being chosen as Arab Youth Capital in 2015, the HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad International Award for Youth Creativity, the establishment of a fund to support gifted and creative youth, the Furas (Opportunities) initiative to sharpen young people’s research, the application and innovation skills, Youth City 2030, and the International Youth Conference and Festival for the Sustainable Development Goals.

The meeting also discussed various topics of interests for Bahraini youth and ways to formulate a number of initiatives and programmes that contribute to empowering young people and developing their talents and capabilities, while preparing them to lead the bright future of the Kingdom.