Doha: The world annually marks International Youth Day on Aug. 12, an occasion that highlights issues facing young people and identifies their aspirations, in addition to showcasing their contributions to the development process. It likewise strengthens awareness of the importance of providing supportive environments that enable them to unlock their potential, develop their capabilities, and effectively engage in charting the future of their communities.
According to Qatar News Agency, this year's observance is held under the theme "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations", underscoring the importance of addressing youth issues from a perspective that takes into account the diversity of their experiences and needs, while focusing on the aspirations and hopes they share for a better future. This is alongside the need for policies and programs targeting them to be tailored to the different contexts in which they live, ensuring that surrounding circumstances don't become an obstacle to their engagement and contribution to development.
This theme carries a message emphasizing that differences in circumstances shouldn't constitute an obstacle to unlocking young people's potential or limiting their opportunities but rather call for more flexible and inclusive pathways that respond to their multiple needs and give them greater scope for initiative, innovation, and participation in addressing the challenges facing their communities.
This day, which comes in the wake of growing global transformations and challenges, also highlights the importance of listening to young people's voices, engaging them in crafting solutions and policies related to their future, and leveraging their capabilities to keep pace with the rapid changes taking place around the globe, thereby strengthening their role as partners in development rather than merely beneficiaries of its programs.
Speaking about the State of Qatar's interest in empowering young people and unleashing their potential, Director of the Youth Affairs Department at Qatar's Ministry of Sports and Youth, Fawaz Abdullah Al Musaifri, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Qatari youth share aspirations for a better future based on quality education, equal opportunities, decent work, and active engagement in decision-making.
He noted that, from this standpoint, the Ministry is implementing an integrated system of programs and initiatives that places young people at the center of the development process and furnishes them with the tools required to develop their capabilities and explore their potential to serve their nation.
Al Musaifri underlined that the Ministry works to empower young people by fostering leadership and professional skills, strengthening a culture of volunteerism and active citizenship, and providing platforms for dialogue and participation, in addition to supporting youth initiatives, innovation, and entrepreneurship in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030), particularly its Human Development pillar.
He noted that the Ministry is committed to reaching multiple segments of young people and expanding opportunities for their participation through strategic partnerships with public entities and the private sector, in the belief that youth empowerment is a shared national responsibility that requires coordinated roles and efforts.
Al Musaifri further pointed out that the Ministry's leading programs and initiatives have been intended to empower young people, enhance their participation in national development, and support innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as the wide-ranging high-quality programs and initiatives it has implemented in recent years.
These programs, he suggested, sought to bolster young people's capabilities across various fields, particularly the "Qatar Youth Delegates to the United Nations" Program, which has so far graduated 53 young people to represent the State of Qatar at international forums following training courses in leadership, diplomacy, and international affairs.
He highlighted that the Get Ready Program, which aims to prepare high school graduates for university life in partnership with relevant national entities, has contributed to the graduation of 95 young people to date.
The Intilaqah Program, which aims to develop young people's skills and prepare them for the labor market in partnership with relevant national entities, has graduated 53 young people, Al Musaifri noted.
He recalled that the "Jeel Mubader" Program, which aims to support initiatives that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and QNV 2030 in partnership with relevant national entities, has so far graduated 31 young people.
Al Misifri affirmed the need to support youth initiatives through the Ministry's Youth Initiatives Incubator and youth centers, helping turn creative ideas into community projects and initiatives with a tangible impact.
Regarding the financial resources allocated to these programs and initiatives, he said the programs are executed under the Ministry's approved operational plans and in collaboration with a number of partners, in accordance with the approved annual budgets. This would ensure the sustainability of the programs, maximize their impact and achieve their national targets, Al Misifri underlined, highlighting that, amid rapid digital and economic evolutions, the Ministry gives the greatest heed to preparing young people for the demands of the future, based on the conviction that technological and economic evolutions require the consistent advancement of skills and knowledge.
The Ministry focuses on strengthening creative thinking, problem-solving, leadership, communication, teamwork, digital skills and entrepreneurship, Al Misifri remarked.
In the field of supporting innovation, Al Misifri noted that the Ministry-affiliated Qatar Scientific Club is implementing the "Young Inventors" program, which was launched during Web Summit 2026 to prepare a second generation of young inventors and develop innovative solutions to societal challenges, thereby promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
He added that the Ministry is likewise committed to building a network of partnerships with a range of relevant entities, helping connect young people with available opportunities, foster their readiness for the labor market and support their contribution to the knowledge- and innovation-based economy.
In this regard, he said the State of Qatar is making notable progress in the readiness of workplaces in both the public and private sectors to draw young talent, backed by national investments in education, training and digital transformation, as well as government policies that promote the development of human capital.
The Ministry plays a pivotal role in forging bridges between young people and employers through empowerment and labor-market preparation programs, professional immersion opportunities, youth forums and initiatives that promote youth participation in developing solutions and decision-making, Al Misifri recalled.
He noted that the Ministry also participated this year as a strategic partner in the "My Career - My Future" program, which benefited over 350 male and female students through professional immersion experiences at 33 entities from various sectors.
Lastly, Al Misifri assured that the Ministry is working to deepen its partnerships with public entities and the private sector to create outstanding opportunities for young people and encourage institutions to capitalize on their energy and potential, thereby strengthening their contribution to achieving QNV2030 and reinforcing their position as key partners in building the present and future of the State of Qatar.
Subsequently, empowering young people and investing in their capabilities remains a strategic choice for building societies better able to navigate challenges and chart a sustainable future. This requires strengthening policies and programs that endow them with wide-ranging opportunities in education, employment and innovation.
Notwithstanding the differing circumstances in which young people live around the world, their shared aspirations, along with endowing them with the confidence and space to take initiative, represent a pillar for achieving sustainable development and building a promising future through capacity-building.