Sharjah Ruler lauds spirit of youth award winners
sharjah — Winners of the ‘Sheikh Sultan Award for Celebrating the Spirit of Youth’ received their medals in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, at Al Badai’a Palace in Sharjah on Saturday.
Medals were granted to participants in the award’s four categories: Adventure, Volunteering, Skills and Hobbies. The Award offers participants three recognitions — gold, silver and bronze — based on their fulfillment of the award’s criteria.
Sheikh Sultan affirmed that the award is designed to cover key areas that enable the shaping of strong communities, and that it highlights the role youth plays in community building and sustainable development. “The award is a continuation of Sharjah’s efforts to instil good values in the youth, which is the cornerstone of our community. In times to come, they will take the lead in championing fundamental values, and preserving what our society, nation, and environment,” he said.
Sheikh Sultan pointed out that the youth can make contributions to several fields by volunteering and taking lead. He also noted that the Arab youth can ensure the continued growth of the Arabic language by not just being recognised by the award’s ‘skills’ category in Arabic poetry or public speaking, but by leading knowledge and expertise transfer by formulating groups that will help advance learning.
He highlighted that the UAE’s desert environment needs bigger contributions of the youth to preserve it. “Sharjah’s most prominent efforts in the field are reflected in the establishment of nature and wildlife protection reserves to reduce the adverse effects of overgrazing and overfishing, and save local varieties of plants and animals from becoming extinct.
He opined that the youth involvement in documenting on-ground realities and offering innovative solutions to challenges would positively impact societies and contribute to nation building.