His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs in Bahrain, stressed that youth is the pillar of the future and the most capable of driving socio-economic development. He reiterated the importance of concerted international efforts to build youth capacities, empower young people, and involve them in advancing global progress.
His statements came during a virtual session titled ‘Youth Powering the Next Decade’, moderated by Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Youth, on the second day of the World Government Summit (WGS) Dialogues.
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa said that countries that are keen to overcome challenges facing young people, while realizing the importance of supporting them and investing in their potential, will enjoy a promising future. He noted that young people have the ability to do what is necessary to protect their future and develop sustainable knowledge-based economies.
He explained that the COVID-19 outbreak overlaps with a global economic situation where young people look towards the future with concern, which has created a sense of isolation for some, and compelled them to face the unknown. To address the prevailing feeling of instability among them necessitates enhancing their capabilities and expertise to overcome the impact of the pandemic and build a brighter future for themselves and future generations.
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa said: “We are confident that the future will brim with opportunities for our young people. They are leading radical transformations in continuous and digital learning, self-education, and special education by adopting technologies that integrate education with entertainment, stimulate cooperation, and develop problem-solving skills.”
He added that young people are more flexible, and able to adapt and shape the future, with technology playing a key role in their empowerment as remote work and other innovations provide new ways of realizing their ambitions. Decision-makers must create an ecosystem that fosters these opportunities, establish a platform for listening to young people’s ideas and implementing them, and engage them in enacting change in various fields.
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa praised the UAE’s historic achievement – the arrival of the Hope Probe in the Martian orbit in February 2021 – calling it a catalyst for the region’s people and youth. He said: “The Arabs who have succeeded in reaching Mars are a dynamic component of the global community.”
He noted that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain has ordered stepping up efforts to empower youth through an integrated institutional approach, including creating a safety net for young people and enabling them to become ambassadors of hope for a better future.
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa also discussed the Hope Fund, launched by Bahrain to forge financial partnerships with innovative and promising youth enterprises with the aim of supporting their growth, development, and expansion, and share youth success stories with the world. He outlined a plan for the education sector to provide quality advanced education, which nurtures skills that align with the requirements of the labor market and fosters a culture of entrepreneurship to build the foundations of a flexible, diversified, and sustainable economy.
