EMPOWER 2015: Day 2 Media Briefing
EMPOWER Workshops: Lessons from leaders in Qatar and around the world
Day 2 of EMPOWER 2015 featured special workshops by high profile peace advocates and social entrepreneurs from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Nigeria. According to EMPOWER’s Youth Planning Committee, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad Al Thani, Milinda Rajapaksha, Ajarat Bada, and Mohammad Bakhrieba hosted special workshops on Day 2 of the three-day conference. These workshops were designed to equip EMPOWER's 450 youth delegates with the skills, knowledge, values and ethics needed to move their communities toward realising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to peaceful societies and education.
More on the EMPOWER Workshop leaders:
• His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad Al Thani of Qatar is a ROTA Goodwill Ambassador, entrepreneur, mountaineer, philanthropist, photographer and sportsman. He was additionally the first Qatari to Summit Mount Everest.
• Milinda Rajapaksha of Sri Lanka is Vice President of the 700,000-member Sri Lanka Federation of Youth Clubs, General Secretary of Sri Lanka Youth Parliament and Co-chair of International Youth Task Force of the World Conference on Youth 2014.
• Ajarat Bada of Nigeria is the Founder and Executive Director of the Missing Millennium Development Goal campaign, which she started to fulfill a duty towards people all over the world who are not able to maximize their developmental potential because they live in conflict motivated by religious differences. She is also a United Nations ECOSOC Youth representative and Global Ambassador for the United Religions Initiative.
• Mohammad Bakhrieba of Saudi Arabia started Call of Culture – a powerful cultural dialogue project that has turned into a global social enterprise with offices in Washington D.C. and Jeddah, KSA. Call of Culture is an innovative social venture that develops media and tools to engage individuals around the globe to promote their culture.
Day 2 Panel Discussion: Showcasing projects for peace
Also on Day 2, delegates enjoyed a high-level panel discussion showcasing the work of some of the world’s leading organizations that have contributed to the development of youth for peaceful societies. Panelists shared their personal and professional experiences and reflected on the work being done by their respective organizations and the future role they believe youth will play in the changing global development landscape.
Day 2 quote attributable to Mr. Mohammed Abdullah Saleh, ROTA National Programs Director:
“Day 2 of ROTA’s EMPOWER Youth Conference was focused on imparting skills and inspiring young people to have a voice in the global sustainable development agenda through success stories from around the world. ROTA has always had faith in the significant role that youth play in the development of their societies and through these workshops, speeches, site visits and other EMPOWER elements, young delegates from Qatar and the region will learn from the best - encouraging and inspiring youth to think about their role in creating a more peaceful world.”
