Youth minister wants Emiratis to write own success stories

Shamma Al Mazrui encouraged young people to work hard to develop their skills and to also work on their character.

Na06 JUL Shamma Al Mazrui

AJMAN // The 22-year-old Minister of State for Youth Affairs has said she wants to help Emirati youngsters achieve more than she has.

Speaking at a youth conference held by Ajman Executive Council, Shamma Al Mazrui said that her story was irrelevant but each young Emirati must create their own success story.

“My success story is simple, and I wish for you to achieve more that what I achieved,” she said.

“I don’t want to talk about my story because it is a basic story. My first duty is to listen before anything. I will not represent youths and only offer my voice and my opinions, I don’t want to be like that.”

She encouraged young people to work hard to develop their skills so they can serve their homeland.

“We live for our society and country, and we all have a role in developing the UAE, and when someone studies and works hard, this is giving for the homeland. And the harder you work, the better you get,” Ms Al Mazrui said on Wednesday.

“Everyone should develop their skills because illiterate is not who is unable to read and write but who does not keep pace with the changes.”

The minister also said that character was important.

“We should not forget that we have a virtual CV that we don’t see on paper - it is your character - and all of us should enhance this character on the principles that was laid by Sheikh Zayed,” she said.

Aisha Al Zarooni, head of support and follow up at the Emirates Youth Council, said the organisation is working on several methods to get young people’s voices heard.

“We have started a plan on how to hear the voice of youths, whether they are from Fujairah or Abu Dhabi, and we will do youth seminars in each emirate,” she said. “Another way is the local councils and the third one is a website. We want to hear their voice to receive the challenges and solutions.”