Rota youth conference starts today
The sixth Empower Youth Conference 2014 on Leadership, Service Learning and Global Citizenship, organised by Reach Out To Asia (Rota), begins at the Qatar Foundation Student Centre today (March 27).
Qatar’s largest annual youth gathering expects to attract up to 450 youngsters aged between 16 and 26 years with a three-day conference focusing on leadership, service learning and global citizenship.
In particular, the organisers will integrate sports, environment, skills development and the Arabic language as key themes of the Empower 2014 programme.
This year’s event is sponsored by Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation.
Following the success of 2013, Rota has invited regional youth activists this year.
This will be a good platform for youth from different regions to network with the youth in Qatar. Eight organisations from the US, India, the UK, Lebanon and Qatar will take part in the conference and share their capabilities with Empower’s youth
Besides, Empower delegates will attend several workshops that will focus on exploring the theme of Sports for Youth Empowerment and will be able to share ideas, expertise, knowledge and common grounds while improving their talents and abilities.
In addition to the speech that Dr Obama will deliver on the opening day of the conference and the encouraging words of youth activists, Empower 2014’s Day 2 will feature a packed programme of creative workshops facilitated by leading experts in the fields of youth development, leadership, service learning, global citizenship, environment and sport.
The presence of Dr Obama, acclaimed author, activist and philanthropist and US President Barack Obama’s half-sister, is expected add a lot to the students’ participation.
Another highlight will be the video contribution from Lemke. As Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, he is responsible for heading the efforts of the UN system in promoting understanding and support for sport as an instrument for development and peace as well as encouraging dialogue, collaboration and partnership.
The second day will also feature 10 concurrent workshops and a seminar.
These workshops will define and explore leadership skills in a sport activity, communication and motivation.
Audience members will learn how the transformative power of sport can be used in inspiring hope and motivation among youth to become positive agents of change in their community.
The final day of Empower 2014 will feature a service learning event that will include different offsite activities, flash stories from around the world and cultural performances.
