Page 12 - WATANI AL EMARAT FOUNDATION PR REPORT - AUGUST 2024

achievements witnessed by the UAE.”

HE Al Neyadi added: “The Dubai Youth Retreat has reinforced the values of leadership and
innovation among ambitious Emirati youth, strengthening their role in decision-making to shape
a bright future for Dubai and the UAE as a whole. This initiative is a result of the efforts that
began with the first youth retreat in 2016, followed by the 2024 retreat, which laid the foundation
for the launch of the National Youth Agenda 2031. Each of these initiatives has provided a clear
vision for the future of youth and represented a significant turning point toward achieving the
sustainable development goals.”

Her Excellency Hala Badri emphasised the importance and necessity of empowering, guiding,
and supporting the youth in their ambitions and turning their dreams into reality. “Youth are the
hope of the present and future, a driving force, a source of inspiration, and the true engine of
innovation and sustainable development. Their diverse ideas, skills, and capabilities embody the
values of giving in all fields. Our wise leadership has believed in the importance of investing in
them and harnessing their energies and competencies, encouraging them to take part in
Dubai’s evolution and raising its attractiveness, which has positively impacted the emirate's
global prominence,” she said.

“The Dubai Youth Retreat helps aid communication, presenting models of youth thought and
guidance. It has created an environment that fosters creativity and excellence, capable of
opening new horizons for youth and giving them the opportunity to participate in formulating a
series of qualitative initiatives and plans that prepare them for the future, enhancing their role in
developing solutions that meet their needs and help them face challenges. I am proud of the
quality of ideas and topics discussed during the retreat and its outcomes, which address the
goals of the National Youth Agenda 2031,” she added.

Interactive workshops
The retreat's programme included a series of brainstorming sessions and interactive workshops
that addressed themes highlighting the impact of youth and their role in driving positive change
and contributing to the development process.

The economy and trade theme discussed the need to develop young skills, equip them with
innovative tools to face future challenges and encourage them to build on their ideas and launch
entrepreneurial projects. The innovation theme focused on ways to encourage youth to engage
in creative thinking, harness technological advancements, and employ them in creating
innovative products and services.

Within the theme of the military sector, participants highlighted the need to prepare a generation
of youth capable of leadership, believing in teamwork, and possessing a sense of responsibility,
which enhances their loyalty and raises their awareness of the importance of defending the
nation and maintaining its security and stability.

The space and future theme also formed an important part of the retreat's discussions, where
methods to inspire youth and encourage them to participate in scientific research and shape the
future of space were explored. Under the values, culture, and community service themes,
participants debated the role and responsibility of youth in promoting giving, ethical values,

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