Let’s give our youth the same sense of purpose as the UAE

The past year has been a year of extraordinary achievement for the country. Here's what I think will set the tone for 2014, writes Khalid Al Ameri

Pep Montserrat for The National

It’s a Saturday afternoon, my wife and two boys are dressed and ready to head out. It’s family day, a day dedicated purely to each other, no interruptions. As we stumble out the door trying to ensure our two- year-old doesn’t make a run for it, we do a check that we have everything, buckle up and head into Abu Dhabi for food, fun and everything in between.

Our regular spot these days for lunch is The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s upcoming business district. As we sat outside to enjoy the UAE winter weather I caught a glimpse of a little area that brought so many memories of my life growing up in Abu Dhabi as a child. It was a little area that used to be called ADMA OPCO, which included the offices and recreational facilities for all the staff and families of the Abu Dhabi Marine Company, an oil and gas firm.

That was essentially where I grew up, in the swimming pool, on the beaches and running around the tennis courts of ADMA OPCO. I know it may seem rather one-dimensional but the reality of the situation was that there wasn’t much else to do. No shopping malls (Marina Mall opened up in my last year of high school), no museums, no youth centres. My social life was pretty much within that little area and a video arcade further down the street.

A lot has changed in my lifetime, and reflecting on those moments as I watched my two young boys munching away, I could only imagine how much will change in theirs. But if 2014 was an indicator of what is to come then it is going to be an interesting, dynamic ride. Here is what I think set the tone for last year and what I hope will come this year.

Within the UAE I think the biggest event to impact our society was the introduction of mandatory military service for all males between the ages of 18 and 30, with the service being optional for women. With few exceptions (such as being the only son), no able-bodied Emirati who falls within that age bracket is exempt, regardless of employment or financial or social status.

What makes this so significant will, I think, show in two different areas of our day-to-day lives. First and foremost is the strengthened unity it will bring between people from all parts of the United Arab Emirates under a single message, to defend and honour our country.

In a way, from a social perspective, you will slowly start to see the boundaries between Emiratis start to erode and make way for a more emotional and brotherly connection.

The second reason is that of economic productivity. Young men who lack high school diplomas must undergo two years of military service, which I feel is the stepping stone to a new, fresh start on life and their professional careers. It offers them an opportunity to build a life of dignity while at the same time giving back their time and energy to their country.

From an international perspective, the UAE showed itself as a front-runner by becoming the first country in the Arab world whose nationals are exempt from the Schengen visa when travelling to Europe. In a landmark vote in the European parliament, 90 per cent voted in favour of waving the visa requirements for Emiratis. This is a critical milestone that will change not just the way Emiratis travel, but the way Emiratis and the UAE are perceived by Europeans and the world.

As the UAE continues to position itself as a key global player from a political and economic viewpoint, a move like this indicates a growing trust and willingness to have our country further embedded into the development of the European Union through our various trade and commercial partnerships. This is just the beginning of a UAE and a people who are truly global players in an increasingly connecting world.

So after an enormous 2014, which set a high benchmark, what hopes do I have for the UAE in the year ahead?

First, it will be very much a year of massive delivery on the economic and cultural strategies set by the country. With two anchor projects – the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Cleveland Clinic – set to come online in 2015, the UAE will set the stage for a shift in the way we live and interact within our Emirate.

I say this because when you talk to staff and faculty within New York University Abu Dhabi, whose main campus opened this summer, they do not see themselves as just an educational institution, but as a beacon of thought and intellectual growth through the community.

I say this because the Louvre is not simply a museum, but a driver of culture and a driver of change with regards to how we as a people view the arts. Similarly, Cleveland Clinic is not just a hospital but an institution that wants to bring a level of healthcare excellence never before seen in the Arab world, that makes us all think about our health in a different way, a better way.

On a social level I do have one strong hope, or more of a wish, that a massive youth initiative takes place at the government level, something that engages them beyond their education.

I feel with all the incredible growth that has taken place within our country, the focus on youth engagement has pretty much stayed on the sidelines.

Our youth are more energetic and more connected that ever before, which offers authorities and organisations every incentive to engage them in ways that creates value for all involved.

Everything from part time work, to sustainable programmes organised by the private and public sector for youth – something beyond simple one-day events that get people excited, before they wake up the next morning wondering “now what?”.

During a survey I conducted in my final year at university, I asked Arab youth what they felt was the biggest issue for them. Their answer was a lack of purpose. We have the resources; what we don’t have is the time. We must engage the youth today and must help them find their purpose today, because if we don’t we risk losing an entire generation.

Finally, I hope the UAE keeps doing what it does best, being a leader and ray of hope in the Arab world. In a region that seems to be constantly plagued by extremely negative news, the UAE offers an alternative narrative of peace, partnership and understanding. These values run deep through the foundation set by our founding father Sheikh Zayed, values that have continued to grow through our leadership today, and values that I hope we as a government and as a people can start to extend beyond our boundaries.

Khalid Al Ameri is an Emirati social commentator

Twitter: @KhalidAlAmeri