DOHA: To enable youth to become empowered leaders and global citizens to support the country's 2030 vision, 'Empower 2011,' the National Youth conference is being organised by the Reach Out to Asia (ROTA).
"The (2030) Vision is not only a target for our nation to reach, but it is a target for the youth - to meet. None of the pillars are achievable without the involvement of Qatar's youth right now. We have to prepare ourselves today for tomorrow's challenge," said H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of ROTA yesterday.
"The goal of this conference is not only to provide you with the knowledge to be leaders in your communities, but also to be true global citizens," she said addressing 300 participants of Qataris and different nationalities, on the second day of the event.
The student delegates will participate in a life-changing programme of interactive workshops, creative presentations and keynote speeches.
The three-day EMPOWER 2011 opened on Thursday with a stimulating panel discussion to debate current youth related issues within the region.
"We aim for a world where the young all over the globe have access to education to enable them to make a positive impact on their communities. Not only are the youth at the receiving end of our goals, but we also actively partner with youth to fulfill our aims. Therefore, we empower the youth to effectively empower others by leading, serving and advocating for the change they want to see," said Sheikha Mayassa, explaining ROTA's philosophy to empower youth. Earlier, Essa Al Mannai, Director, ROTA opened the second day of EMPOWER 2011 with a welcome speech entitled 'ROTA's Vision for Youth.
A series of inspiring and informative keynote speeches related on empowerment, themes of leadership, global citizenship and service learning were delivered as a part of the event.
Dr Peter L Benson, President and CEO of Minneapolis-based Search Institute, Service Learning and Youth Development delivered a televised speech on 'Find your spark and let it shine through service' following an introduction by Flora Sanchez, a senior trainer from the institute, holding a spark light.
Executive Director of Bridge the Gap TV, 23-year-old Chris Bashinelli who is travelling the world immersing in local cultures and discovering at first-hand what role young people can play in alleviating global poverty shared his experience at the conference.
Also, the only Qatari faculty staff in Education City, Dr Amal Mohammed Al Malki Assistant Teaching Professor at Carnegie Mellon University introduced EMPOWER delegates to the science of Personal Leadership.
Many activities and interactive workshops were held during the day including ROTA Cambodia 2011 Volunteer Trip: A Student Experience by Abdulrahman Wael, Al Jazeera Academy Student and "Finding your Essence for Public Speaking" by Carolyn Zeitler, Director, Arcata Interactive Communication Coaching.
Today, ROTA Youth Service Clubs will be showcasing their community service projects in the foyer of the Qatar Foundation Student Center.
© The Peninsula 2011
