Dubai Youth Retreat Highlights Emirati Youth's Vision to Shape the Future

Photo : Dubai government media office

The Dubai Youth Retreat, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, demonstrated the vast creative potential of Emirati youth and their crucial role in shaping the future of the nation. Organized by the Dubai Youth Council, the retreat gathered prominent figures from diverse sectors, including government, business, innovation, space, culture, and community service, to foster partnerships between youth and decision-makers. This collaboration underscores the importance of investing in the next generation to drive positive change and achieve Dubai’s long-term vision of sustainable development.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel

Among the high-profile attendees were His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of The Executive Council of Dubai; Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; His Excellency Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department; and His Excellency Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi, Director General of the Watani Al Emarat Foundation. Also in attendance were more than 80 young men and women representing youth councils from across the emirate, as well as experts from various fields such as the economy, innovation, and space.

The retreat was hosted at the Etihad Museum and sponsored by Dubai Culture, which highlighted the dynamic role of youth in driving progress across multiple sectors. The event’s key focus was on empowering youth to develop innovative solutions for the challenges of tomorrow while fostering their leadership and creativity. It served as a platform for open dialogue between the youth and government leaders, promoting an exchange of ideas aimed at preparing and qualifying the younger generation for future responsibilities.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed underscored the significance of the Dubai Youth Retreat, aligning it with Dubai’s forward-looking approach of integrating various roles to achieve the city’s vision of fostering creativity and innovation. In her remarks, she emphasized the retreat’s ambition to cultivate a spirit of creative thinking among Emirati youth, empowering them to drive positive change in their communities and the nation. “This retreat is an investment in tomorrow, a stepping stone towards a bright and sustainable future led by the ambitions of our youth. It nurtures decision-makers and leaders who are responsible and committed to shaping future plans and policies in line with our leadership’s innovative and creative vision,” Sheikha Latifa stated.

She further added that the retreat is a reflection of Dubai’s vision to support innovation through the integration of roles across various sectors. “Its significance lies in building genuine partnerships between youth and decision-makers. These partnerships are a vital tool in achieving the sustainable development goals we strive for,” she said.

In conjunction with the retreat, the National Youth Agenda 2031 was launched, which aims to position Emirati youth as a global model of leadership in thought, values, and contributions to social and economic development. The retreat is part of Dubai’s broader strategy to actively engage young people in the city’s growth and global leadership.

Commenting on the event, His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi stressed the critical role youth play in the UAE’s development journey. “Youth are the foundation of development and the cornerstone for building a prosperous and sustainable future. The wise leadership has always believed in investing in their energies and guiding them towards innovation and creativity. We constantly strive to provide an enabling environment that allows them to achieve their aspirations,” he said.

Dr. Al Neyadi also reflected on the retreat’s success in reinforcing leadership values among Emirati youth. He noted that this initiative, which began with the first youth retreat in 2016 and continued with the 2024 retreat, has laid the foundation for the National Youth Agenda 2031, providing a clear path for youth development and significantly contributing to achieving the UAE’s sustainable development goals.

Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of empowering youth to turn their ambitions into reality. “Youth are the hope of the present and future, the driving force of innovation and sustainable development. Their ideas, skills, and capabilities embody the values of giving in all fields. Our leadership believes in investing in them and harnessing their energies to shape Dubai’s evolution and enhance its global standing,” Badri said.

She also praised the Dubai Youth Retreat for fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and excellence among young people. Badri emphasized the importance of youth participation in creating new initiatives and preparing them to face future challenges. “I am proud of the quality of ideas and topics discussed during the retreat and its outcomes, which directly support the goals of the National Youth Agenda 2031,” she added.

The retreat featured a series of brainstorming sessions and interactive workshops that explored the role of youth in driving positive change. These sessions covered a range of topics, including the economy, innovation, military service, space exploration, values, culture, and community service.

For the economy and trade theme, discussions centered on equipping young people with the necessary skills and innovative tools to overcome future challenges and encouraging them to launch entrepreneurial projects. In the innovation segment, participants explored ways to inspire creative thinking and leverage technological advancements for developing innovative products and services.

Participants also addressed the military sector, emphasizing the importance of preparing a generation of youth who value teamwork, responsibility, and national security. The space and future discussions focused on inspiring youth to engage in scientific research and shape the future of space exploration. Under the themes of values, culture, and community service, the retreat encouraged youth to promote ethical values, cultural diversity, and national identity, while also fostering a spirit of giving back to the community.

Hassan Sabt, President of the Dubai Youth Council, remarked that the retreat marked a significant step in strengthening youth's role in Dubai’s development journey. “Through this retreat, we are keen to create an interactive environment that allows youth to connect with leaders and decision-makers directly. This strategic platform empowers youth to develop their skills in various fields, positioning them as a central pillar of Dubai’s future,” Sabt said.

He also highlighted the outcomes of the retreat, including the launch of six dialogue platforms where youth can discuss pressing issues across sectors such as economy, culture, military, and space. Additionally, innovative ideas and solutions were tabled, contributing to Dubai’s progress and reinforcing the youth’s role in shaping the city’s future.

The retreat concluded with the activation of channels for the exchange of knowledge and talents between youth, leaders, and experts from various fields, further solidifying Dubai’s position as a global center for innovation and creativity driven by the limitless potential of its youth.

Aug. 31, 2024 10:15 a.m. 222

#trending #latest #DubaiYouthRetreat #EmiratiYouth #InnovationLeadership #SustainableDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #DubaiFuture #NationalYouthAgenda #CreativePartnerships #YouthInLeadership #FutureOfDubai #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn #bestnewschanneldubai #bestnewschannelUAE #bestnewschannelabudhabi #bestnewschannelajman #bestnewschannelofdubai #popularnewschanneldubai