Abu Dhabi to host virtual majlis to hear youth's boldest ideas for the future

Third gathering of Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations will begin on March 14

Young Emratis take part in a Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis held at a forum in 2018.  Courtesy: Mohamed Bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations

Abu Dhabi is listening to the bold ideas of its university students as the emirate charts a course for the next half century.

More than 3,000 university students will take part in interactive virtual dialogues aimed at motivating young people to exchange ideas and propose solutions for a better future.

The Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations will begin its third gathering on March 14 under the theme of ‘Thriving in the Next Normal’.

The session "coincides with the UAE’s celebration of its Golden Jubilee, on one hand, and with the rapid and unprecedented developments the world has witnessed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, on the other,” said Mohamed Al Nuaimi, director of the Education Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court.

"We are working to expand the role of young people in the plans to prepare for the next 50 years".

The gathering is organised by the Education Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

This year’s virtual event will gather senior leaders and decision-makers from around the world, as well as a prominent group of experts in various fields to speak with thousands of university students from around the UAE.

The gathering will examine three themes: 'A changing world' looking at emerging industries; 'new opportunities' to examine roles for innovators; and 'the next 50 years' to integrate youth into future planning.

A platform called the Jubilee Lab will be a place for youth to propose forward-thinking ideas and innovations to boost the economy and enhance quality of life in the Emirates.

This session was designed based on the findings of a study conducted with young people to gauge their vision for the UAE’s future agenda.

The goal of the virtual majlis is to open up a dialogue between the nation’s youth and its leadership, and to provide resources for employment to train young Emiratis to create better opportunities for the future, organisers said.

“Our ... leadership considers it a top priority to train and empower the youths in our country to become the leaders of the future, paving the way for them to succeed and arming them with the knowledge and skills they need to play a greater role in the future of our country and its development," Mr Al Nuaimi said.

“We look forward to highlighting young people’s ability to bear responsibility, return the country’s favour and elevate their actions and efforts to meet the aspirations of our wise leadership, who has never settled for anything less than first place."