DOHA: Over 150 young leaders, innovators, thought leaders and decision makers representing over 30 countries have gathered in Doha to explore innovative solutions to the challenges of job creation and economic development during the annual two-day Shape Mena conference that kicked off yesterday.
Shape Mena is the annual regional gathering of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community in the Middle East and North Africa region. The Global Shapers Community is a global network of over 350 city-based hubs developed and led by future leaders between 20 and 30 years of age, who collaborate on activities designed to improve the state of their communities. Shapers are highly motivated individuals who are selected on the basis of their achievements, leadership potential and commitment to make a difference.
This year’s conference addresses the theme of “Economic Growth and Job Creation in the region,” and participants are discussing issues related to changing nature of work, current and future workplace skills gaps, technology and philanthropy, Islamic finance, and social entrepreneurship.
Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, President of Hamad bin Khalifa University, Founding Curator and ongoing Adviser to the Doha Global Shapers hub, said: “Occasions such as these remind us that the young people of our region possess the talent and ambition to build a better world, despite the countless challenges their generation faces. Over the next two days, this select group of young Arabs will work together in seeking solutions to some of our most difficult problems. At the same time, they are building networks and sharing experiences, and this will form a platform for future collaboration”.
Dr Tarik M Yousef, CEO of Shape Mena partner Silatech said, “Youth unemployment is a longstanding problem in the Arab world, as well as one of the most urgent and critical challenges that the region faces. At Silatech, we believe that long-term solutions to youth unemployment and job creation are strengthened by the engagement of young people themselves in solving the challenges that affect them directly. Shape Mena is an excellent forum for youth engagement, and we support it fully.”
Silatech is a Doha-based social initiative focused on improving employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people throughout the Arab world.
Hira Ahmed, Doha Hub Curator, commented on the importance of the event to the Doha Global Shapers, saying “This is the first time in which Doha has hosted the Shape Mena conference, and we are honored to welcome such an exciting and inspiring group of young leaders from throughout the Arab world to share perspectives and generate new ideas. Since this is a wholly youth-led event, we are addressing a topic which is of vital importance to our generation.”
The Peninsula
