DUBAI // The role of young Emiratis in social development and sustainable national projects was discussed at an event marking World Youth Day on Friday.
A Youth Circle was organised by the Youth Council of Dubai’s Community Development Authority in collaboration with the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai.
“The discussions that took place in the Youth Circle revealed a unanimous conviction among participants in the youth’s critical role in national and community development,” said Saeed Al Tayer, chief executive of social planning and development and acting director general at the authority. “To that end, we must determine the optimal approaches to tap into their potential. Young people are top priority for our leaders, who have the highest hopes and aspirations for a better and brighter future for our country.”
He said the youth were the creative energy, the knowledge and the determination that drove sustainable growth and constructive development for the wider UAE community.
“Young people are the true wealth of this nation,” he added. “The development of their skills and potential is the only way to carry forward the long-term process of sustainable community development. These Youth Circles are an ideal platform for exchanging bold ideas and highlighting success stories that involve the UAE’s youth.”
Discussions explored prospects for developing young Emiratis’ ideas while identifying their aspirations for the future of the UAE.
“Dubai’s Department of Islamic Affairs and Endowments has formed its very own Youth Council to empower and enable young people to leave their mark in all fields of knowledge, science and charity, as well as to support them in shaping a bright future for themselves,” said Ahmed Al Muhairi, chief executive of the Charity Work and the department’s acting director. “The Council serves to hone their individual and collective creative energy, and channel it towards securing a prosperous future for the UAE. This is evident in our department’s commitment to dialogue, as our religion taught us, as well as our faith in the youth and their potential to lead civil society towards a brighter tomorrow.”
The talks also tackled the challenges that face young creative leaders, as well as the opportunities to build on to empower future leaders to achieve sustainable community development and further progress.
The Youth Circle explored practical scenarios and recommendations to empower young leaders across all sectors, allowing them to formulate plans for holistic and comprehensive community development.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
