Bahraini MP urges engagement, amplifying Youth voices

TDT | Manama             

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahraini MP Dr Maryam Al-Dhaen has called for opening official channels to listen to young people, as the Kingdom joined nations around the world in marking International Youth Day 2023.

This year, the day is observed globally on August 12 under the theme “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World”. Paying tribute to Bahraini youth on this occasion, Al-Dhaen stated that there is a need for a competent and qualified group comprising all relevant bodies to work on comprehensive strategies to empower young Bahrainis on the global stage.

International Youth Day, she said, provides an opportunity to highlight these issues. The MP emphasised that it’s importance to organise targeted events that cultivate a culture of dialogue and communication among young people and stressed the need to harness the potential of young people and amplify their voices.

The MP also highlighted various pilot projects and initiatives, such as the Youth Parliament, Y230 Youth City, and the Native Ambassadors programme. In this regard, she hailed the contribution of His Highness Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Action and Youth Affairs, and His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, First Vice-President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and Chairman of the Bahraini Olympic Committee, as inspiring.

“Bahrain’s youth have demonstrated excellence in various fields, including entrepreneurship, economy, politics, legislation, and medicine,” Al Dhaen said, highlighting that many young Bahrainis have achieved success abroad and become ambassadors for the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Youth centres, she further stated, play a significant role in positively utilising their potential. In this context, she also praised the role of the private sector in contributing both through direct material support and the launch of specialized training programs in coordination with the Ministry of Youth Affairs.

She recalled the reopening of the leadership award for youth centres, which included a training programme for administrative and financial management. “The enhancement of sports programmes and competitions between centres has been intensified to refine and develop talent,” she said, stating, “The inauguration of mobile playgrounds has contributed to cost savings and facilitated ease of use and transport.”

She further emphasised the importance of inclusive programmes covering various areas and being available in different regions to ensure accessibility and public benefit. Youth programmes help channel energies and reduce the rate of societal problems.

Reflecting on the theme of World Youth Day 2023, Dr Al Dhaen said the concept of green skills for young people aims to strengthen their capabilities by contributing to the transition to a green economy. “This issue is a top priority in the face of global challenges and emphasises the importance of deepening young people’s knowledge of how to promote sustainability in all its environmental, social, and economic aspects.”