ROTA Youth Conference Starts Tomorrow
- Personal leadership, service learning and global citizenship are the main themes of "EMPOWER 2009"
Reach Out To Asia's (ROTA's) 3-day conference promoting personal leadership, service learning and global citizenship, "Empower 2009", kicks off tomorrow night with a televised inter-school debate at Qatar Foundation Head Quarter's atrium.
"Empower 2009" will also mark the launch of ROTA's new Youth Development Program in Qatar, which is aimed at mobilizing and inspiring leadership and civic responsibility among Qatar's youth, through service learning.
"We're all very excited to see this event start tomorrow, and what could be more exciting than to begin with a student led debate? I think we're going to hear some very interesting arguments and thoughts on the direction of the youth here in Qatar today." Said Ms. Alberta Stevens, Head of Reach Out To Asia Qatar.
The session will be facilitated by Qatar Debates and students will argue for and against a motion of critical importance to young people in Qatar.
The main conference will follow on the second day at the Doha Sheraton Hotel, with a series of lectures and workshops delivered by renowned local and international speakers, youth-led roundtable discussions and artistic expressions.
"This is not just a conference for the youth, but it has also been designed with the youth. We've been working hard over the last few months to make all this come together, and to give the youth in Qatar a real opportunity to grow into leaders and give back to their communities in relevant and meaningful ways." Ms Stevens added.
On the third day the delegates will take part in a series of off-site community service projects, including visiting children patients at Hamad Hospital, renovating a house for a less fortunate family and producing a short film on a youth issue.
The conference will run from May 7th until May 9th and is only open to youth 15 - 24 years old, and observers who have pre-registered on the ROTAQ Events website. ROTA will continue to engage youth through clubs, annual conferences and other programs that aim to give the youth today a voice and help them to realize their full potential.
