Second Edition Of Arab Youth Media Forum To Be Held On 27 May

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the Dubai Press Club (DPC) is set to host the second edition of the Arab Youth Media Forum on 27 May, 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event is being held as part of the 22^nd edition of the Arab Media Forum, which runs until 29 May.

The Arab Youth Media Forum will feature the participation of prominent figures, inspiring Arab personalities in various fields, successful young content creators and digital story tellers and global media industry leaders. In addition, the forum will also feature the participation of over 1,000 students from the media and creative fields.

This year’s Arab Youth Media Forum will have a strong focus on equipping the next generation of media professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to flourish in a rapidly changing environment. Featuring an impressive line-up of speakers, the forum offers a series of panel discussions and masterclasses that seek to drive positive transformation and excellence in the media sector.

His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and National Security Adviser, will deliver the keynote speech at the forum. In his address, Sheikh Nasser will discuss the current state and future of Arab youth amid regional and global challenges, strategies for investing in Arab youth, and ways to enhance their capabilities and skills to contribute to the development process. A prominent Arab role model for the youth, His Highness Sheikh Nasser will also speak about how the region’s youth can stay connected to their history and embrace hope and optimism amidst the profound challenges they face.

The forum will also feature His Excellency Dr. Sultan AlNeyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth, in a main session titled ‘Aspirations of the Youth.’ He will discuss the importance of ambition as a fundamental motivation that drives individuals forward and in its role in the UAE’s various achievements. The first Arab astronaut to spend over six months aboard the International Space Station, Dr. AlNeyadiaims to inspire the next generation of youth with his experiences. The session will also discuss his role in realising ‘Zayed’s Ambition,’ the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to establish the UAE as one of the world’s leading nations in space exploration.

Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of the Dubai Press Club, said the second Arab Youth Media Forum is set to bring together prominent figures in the Arab world to engage with the youth who are poised to shape the future of the region’s media landscape. The forum seeks to ignite inspiration among young participants through insightful discussions, motivating them to push their boundaries and achieve greater excellence.

“The Arab Youth Media Forum illustrates the UAE’s commitment to placing young talent at the forefront of development, a principle established over five decades ago with the founding of the Union. Under the guidance of the UAE leadership, the nation continues to prioritise empowering and investing in youth. This is evident in the leadership’s commitment to entrusting young ministers with significant responsibilities, and recognising their capabilities to translate the UAE’s ambitions into tangible achievements that enhance the country’s global competitiveness,” Her Excellency said.

In its second edition, the forum will have a strong focus on storytelling and content creation, driven by remarkable technological advancements, she noted. Young media professionals play a pivotal role in shaping and enriching these popular narrative forms, contributing substantially to the diverse content online. Additionally, the forum will highlight the experiences of successful young media professionals from across the region.

Al Marri added that the organisation of a forum dedicated to young Arab media professionals represents a proactive step towards fostering inclusive discussions, bringing youth closer together, and opening up new channels of communication and collaboration. “The forum aims to facilitate the exchange of experiences and ideas among youth, as well as provide them with the opportunity to engage with established pioneers in the media industry. Given their familiarity with the evolving technological landscape, youth are best positioned to leverage new tools creatively and contribute to the advancement of Arab media.”

During a welcome address at the forum, Dr. Maitha bint Essa Buhumaid, Director of the Dubai Press Club, will announce a new DPC initiative aimed at fostering creativity among young media professionals and empowering them to spearhead media development in the region. This initiative will add to the significant initiatives launched by DPC over the past two decades, including the Arab Media Forum, the Emirati Media Forum, the Arab Youth Media Forum, the Arab Media Award, the Arab Social Media Influencers Award, among others.

Dr. Buhumaid further said: “In line with the vision and directives of the leadership, the Dubai Press Club is committed to enhancing the role of youth in media development. Over the years, the Club has been keen to organise and launch training programmes in collaboration with leading media institutions to equip young professionals with the skills and industry knowledge needed to drive excellence in the field. These initiatives have also served as a platform for media institutions to recognise and incorporate talented youth into their workforce.”

“The diverse topics featured in the agenda of this year’s forum were developed after closely monitoring significant media transformations being led by youth today. We surveyed a large number of young media professionals to ensure the topics reflect their ideas and visions, ”Buhumaid said.

The discussions at the Arab Youth Media Forum will also examine key issues impacting the current media landscape and discuss ways to resolve challenges while upholding the media’s mission and preserving its professional and ethical standards, she added.

Amna Khalil, Member of the Arab Youth Media Forum Organising Committee, said: “The second edition of the forum will feature a series of dialogue sessions with Arab content creators on diverse new media topics and strategies for success. The event will also examine the role of youth in shaping the future of media and how technological advancements can be used to create high-quality media content that meets the preferences of regional audiences.”

She added that the masterclasses at the forum will be hosted in collaboration with leading global digital platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Meta, among others. These sessions will offer participants a valuable opportunity to hone their skills in various areas, aiming to equip young professionals with the cutting-edge abilities and knowledge needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.