Bahrain unveils national strategy to empower future leaders

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Mohammed Darwish

The Minister of Youth Affairs, H.E. Rawan Tawfiqi, has unveiled the Ministry’s progressive strategy to empower the youth of Bahrain.

It is under the guidance of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, in line with the vision of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports.

Corresponding with MPs Jalal Kadhem and Dr Mahdi Al Showaikh, she unveiled a national strategy for 2023–2028, designed to propel a cadre of motivated leaders poised to effect positive change within themselves, their society, and the nation as a whole.

This strategy highlights the importance of building confidence in our present time and nurturing aspirations for the future, thus creating an environment conducive for the youth to enhance the nation and craft a more promising tomorrow.

At present, the Ministry oversees 38 youth empowerment centres throughout the various governorates, focusing on improving the quality and effectiveness of the programmes rather than increasing their quantity.

However, the Ministry is attentive to the specific needs of different areas, considering the establishment of additional centres as required.

Extensive study

In 2021, the Ministry conducted an extensive national study to chart the talents of Bahraini youth, acknowledging the vast potential and vigour of our young citizens as a national asset.

This endeavour, which involved over 10,000 young Bahrainis aged 10 to 35, seeks to elevate, refine, and highlight these talents, with the ultimate aim of leveraging them to fortify the national economy.

The Ministry’s dedication to boosting youth talent is evidenced by its annual budget of approximately BD133,000 for the 38 youth empowerment centres, allocated in two instalments per year.

Moreover, the Ministry’s alliance with the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) is instrumental in the nurturing and honing of Bahraini talents across the entire spectrum of sectors.

Collaboration

This synergistic collaboration has given birth to the ‘Methodology for Discovering Youth Talents’ initiative, executed in tandem with a consultancy of specialised agencies, culminating in the composition of a booklet on the discovery, refinement, and celebration of talented individuals.

In addition, the Ministry has orchestrated the creation of a unified database for the gifted youth, in concert with the youth empowerment centres, to furnish the Ministry with continual updates Those registered in the database are given precedence, and the Ministry has launched an ambitious project named ‘Youth City 2030.’

This initiative offers 2,700 training opportunities for young individuals in a variety of fields.