Abu Dhabi Youth Council and National Library and Archives Youth Council organised the Corporate Youth Councils Forum under the theme Youth Make the Difference. The forum served as an interactive platform for dialogue, aiming to unify visions and strategic directions among youth councils in Abu Dhabi emirate and strengthen collaboration on amplifying youth impact across the emirate.
The forum began with an opening address delivered by Dr Hazaa Al Naqbi, Head of the Government Archives Section at the National Library and Archives. He welcomed the promising and creative youth leaders and emphasised their active role in society, as well as the significance of their distinctive and inspiring experiences as a source of inspiration for future generations, and their contributions to construction, growth, and prosperity in line with the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership. He stated that youth are the creators of the present, the pioneers of change, and the pillars of the future.
Al Naqbi encouraged the youth to exchange successful experiences and build strong bridges between their initiatives and supporting institutions. He thanked everyone involved in organising the forum and all the participants, considering them partners of the National Library and Archives in enriching and empowering knowledge-based communities. He affirmed the institution’s belief in the potential of youth as drivers of difference.
Saif Al Mansouri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Youth Council, also delivered a speech in which he began by reviewing the National Youth Agenda 2031, launched in 2024. He confirmed that the agenda forms the main foundation for all youth-related initiatives, strategies, and projects in the UAE. He also announced the strategic directions of Abu Dhabi Youth Council for 2025–2027, which were developed based on the national agenda, the directions of the local entities in Abu Dhabi emirate, and the results of the Abu Dhabi Youth Voice survey.
Al Mansouri affirmed that the Youth Councils Forum, held at the National Library and Archives under the theme Youth Make the Difference, is a milestone event considered an extension to the emirate’s vision of empowering youth and enhancing their role as active partners in institutional and community development. He said: “We believe that every young person has a voice, every voice has value, and every initiative leaves a deep and lasting impact.”
He pointed out that the wise leadership has instilled in youth the belief that they are the driving force worthy of leading, innovating, and bringing change. He urged participants to propose realistic and implementable steps, affirming that the forum marks a paradigm shift toward practical empowerment; because youth, through their ideas, are the driving force to a brighter, more prosperous future.
Following this, Mohammad Al Bishir, Chairman of the National Library and Archives Youth Council, presented a comprehensive presentation of the council’s strategic plan. He highlighted the key initiatives planned for implementation in 2025, aligned with the council’s vision to strengthen the role of youth in the sector of archiving and preserving the memory of the nation.
Al Bishir shed light on the council’s strategic goals, which focus on knowledge empowerment, innovation in records management, and enhancing national awareness among the youth. He also highlighted the council's unique initiatives, including community initiatives and educational and training programmes aimed at developing youth research and knowledge skills.
The forum’s programme included a leadership dialogue session with the participation of Dr Hazaa Al Naqbi from the National Library and Archives and Jassim Al Obaidli, Director of Youth Engagement at the Federal Youth Authority. Aisha Al Khulaifi moderated the session.
The session emphasised the importance of cooperation, and integration, considering them essential for the success of youth councils. It also encouraged youth to pursue knowledge and seriously develop their skills in their respective fields. Participants praised the inspiring and optimistic spirit evident in the speeches delivered by the youth.
Another dialogue session was held with the participation of Abu Dhabi Youth Council and the Youth Councils of: the Ministry of Community Development, Emirates Red Crescent, the National Library and Archives, Abu Dhabi Police, the Department of Energy, Nafes, and Abu Dhabi Airports. The session addressed many inspiring experiences, challenges, and the suitable solutions for them. The key topics discussed included: ways to promote the culture of volunteering among the youth; interactive digital or social platforms that enable youth to engage in active participation; methods to gather and represent the ideas and proposals of youth non-members of councils; collaboration with international institutions or external youth councils; future aspirations; workplace challenges facing young people; and the most prominent youth council initiatives and their role in preserving national heritage.
The forum concluded with a brainstorming session focused on the five main pillars of the National Youth Agenda 2031. More than 40 members of various youth councils participated in the session, where they discussed real-life challenges and developed over 15 implementable initiatives and projects, identifying the local entities responsible for execution. These innovative projects represent significant milestones on the roadmap to the desired future.
At the close of the forum, Abu Dhabi Youth Council reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening integration among youth councils in the emirate and to working to translate strategic directions into tangible, real-world initiatives that positively influence the lives of young people. The forum served as a new starting point toward more effective institutional participation, enhancing the presence of youth across various development pathways and their contribution to Abu Dhabi’s future.
