The Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024 hosted an inspiring panel discussion titled “Youth: A Positive Outlook for the Future”, which explored innovative strategies to empower young generations as drivers of progress and global change.
The Global Women’s Forum is hosted by the Dubai Women Establishment from November 26 to 27 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The forum themed ‘The Power of Influence’ saw extensive engagement from local, regional, and international organizations, alongside experts and specialists from diverse fields.
The session “Youth: A Positive Outlook for the Future” featured distinguished speakers, including His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Her Excellency Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfeeqi, Minister of Youth Affairs from the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Preparing the youth
Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi stressed the importance of education in preparing youth for future challenges, highlighting the need to focus on raising awareness among younger generations starting from primary school. He emphasized the importance of equipping children with skills such as critical thinking, effective research, and the responsible use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. He also underscored the significance of emotional awareness and interpersonal skills in ensuring personal and professional success.
Dr. Al Neyadi highlighted the Federal Youth Authority’s (FYA) National Youth Agenda 2031 as a key initiative aimed at positioning Emirati youth as global role models and contributors to economic and social development. The agenda’s five strategic goals include enhancing youth contributions to national economic growth, strengthening community engagement while adhering to Emirati values, driving positive global change, mastering future technologies and skills, and achieving high standards of health and quality of life.
Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfeeqi shared Bahrain’s approach to youth empowerment, explaining how the country’s strategy for scouting and discovering talent has resulted in a comprehensive national database of youth talents across various sectors. She noted that each individual in the database has a defined pathway to unlock their potential. Tawfeeqi emphasized that empowering youth is a shared responsibility and expressed Bahrain’s commitment to turning challenges into opportunities for young people to thrive.
The panel underscored the importance of nurturing the skills, values, and well-being of youth to ensure they play a pivotal role in shaping the future. By fostering collaboration across nations and leveraging technology, education, and innovation, the session demonstrated how young leaders can transform challenges into opportunities for growth.
Support for female-led startups
The event urged corporates to support female entrepreneurs and allocate more resources as only 2 percent of investments are going to female-led startups in the Middle East.
Addressing a session titled ‘Empowering the Next Generation of Startups’ at the Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024, speakers emphasized the importance of mentorship and capacity building for entrepreneurs, particularly women, who face challenges like financial insecurity and limited funding evidenced by the fact that only 2 percent of investments are going to female-led startups.
The session was addressed by Jessica Scopacasa, co-founder & CMO, Olive Gaea and Kevin Holliday, managing director, C3 (Companies Creating Change).
The Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024 provided a platform to explore new strategies for enhancing gender balance and raising women’s participation in the economy and society.
Corporates’ role is crucial in creating a sustainable ecosystem for startups by leveraging their resources and driving innovation. There is an urgent need for more investment in female-led startups and more female investors to provide support in negotiations, the Forum was told.
Scopacasa, a climate tech startup founder, discussed her journey and the critical role of mentorship in navigating the shift from consultancy to tech start-up.
The session highlighted the need for more female investors and assertiveness in negotiations and the significance of corporate support and ecosystem collaboration to foster innovation and sustainability. It also underscored the importance of mental health and maintaining a balance between work and personal life.
RTA participates in session on transport trends
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) actively participated in the Global Women’s Forum.
Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Kalbat, CEO of the Rail Agency at RTA, spoke at a session titled ‘Future Transport Trends Supporting Gender Balance’, offering insights into innovative strategies for promoting inclusivity in transportation.
The session addressed critical topics, including future transport trends and their role in fostering gender balance within the industry. Discussions emphasized the importance of women’s involvement in shaping sustainable transport solutions and highlighted how innovation and technology can empower their participation. Key areas of focus included the challenges and opportunities for achieving diversity and inclusivity in the sector, as well as strategies to create a balanced work environment that supports both genders.
