The youth should be changemakers, critical thinkers

The UAE is on a steady path of progress with the investment in youth, empowering them with science and technology on the firm belief that power lies in their hands. Prioritising initiatives for the youth have been part of the UAE’s strategy towards playing a greater role in world leadership. The UAE Youth Global Initiative launched as part of World Youth Day on Sunday enables this vital section “to use its full potential to enhance the UAE’s reputation and spread awareness about its values and heritage as well as the all-round progress it has achieved”, according to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The Youth Empowerment Strategy (YES, 2015) equips the government and young Emiratis to work together towards Vision 2021 with the aim of strengthening cooperation and communication between youth development stakeholders; monitoring youth empowerment progress and providing an integrated framework based on opportunities, needs and priorities. The UAE, as part of its strategy to provide youth with decision-making platforms and encouraging active participation in state affairs, appointed some of the youngest cabinet members in a recent reshuffle. The appointment of 23-year-old Shamma bint Suhail Faris Mazrui as Minister of Youth Affairs, and 27-year-old Omar bin Sultan Al Olama as Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence are cases in point.

This pride in the youth of the nation comes to the fore in the motivation provided by the leadership to make them not just good at what they do but to become leaders and global changemakers. The youth need to be provided greater opportunities, power and resources to make them critical thinkers. With technology developing at a breakneck speed, there should be greater focus on communication and enhancement of skillsets. Deeper youth engagement and political participation would make them socially conscious, capable of giving back to society in their days of success. The aim should be to mould a generation of decision makers and community advocates.