ROTA announces ‘Sports for Youth Empowerment’ Theme for March 27th EMPOWER Conference
- Youth have the potential to contribute their skills and enthusiasm to the future growth of their country, Sponsor Msheireb
Doha, Qatar, 23 March 2014: Organizer Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) hosted a press conference for the local media to outline exciting plans for the 6th EMPOWER Youth Conference taking place at Qatar Foundation Student Center-Doha, from 27th till 29th of March.
This year’s event, under the theme “Sports for Youth Empowerment”, is sponsored by Msheireb Properties, a real estate company and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation. The company was established as a commercial venture to support the Foundation’s aims and the Qatar National Vision 2030.
“Msheireb is proud to be partnering with ROTA to acknowledge individuals and their initiatives that empower the youth in communities and organizations”, said XX at Msheireb Properties. “At Msheireb, we believe that, through sports, young people have the potential to contribute their skills, leadership and enthusiasm to the future growth of their country. By taking an active role in the community and voicing opinions on global issues, the young people of today can inspire change and become the leaders and thinkers of tomorrow”.
“As the developer of the first sustainable regeneration of a downtown area in a city, we are also committed to sharing our expertise and knowledge with young people. By doing this, we hope they will be inspired to use this knowledge in whatever future careers they may choose,” XX added.
Organizers of the landmark event known for ‘empowering Qatar’s youth’ said 450 youth between the ages of 16 and 26 have been shortlisted to participate at EMPOWER 2014.
Joining the Empower 2014 Conference will be the acclaimed author, philanthropist and President Barack Obama's half-sister, Dr. Auma Obama, as main guest.
Dr. Obama is the Founder and Director of the Sauti Kuu Foundation. Sauti Kuu is Kiswahili for “Powerful Voices”. The Foundation seeks to give perspective to disadvantaged children and youth by helping them unlock their potential, in particular through Life Skills training and educational opportunities that lead to economic sustainability. The Foundation’s sponsorship programs in sports, education, nutrition and health are designed to help youth lead self-determined lives. The foundation is based on the principle of ‘Self-Help’ and aims to support and motivate the younger generations to take their fate into their own hands and be the makers of their own destiny.
Another distinguished participation will add value to ROTA event. Mr. Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace to the United Nations Secretary-General, will be addressing ROTA youth through an inspiring video message on the opening day of Empower. Mr. Lemke, who met on XX ROTA youth, motivated them on the power of sport and physical activity in bringing together people from different social, economic, cultural and religious backgrounds.
As Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr. Lemke 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. Since the International Year of Sport and Physical Education in 2005, United Nations Member States have better understood the role of sport in development and peace in their national legislation and policies.
A third prominent guest who will provide valuable support to the event is Mr. Jaber Al Harmy, Editor-in-Chief of Al Sharq newspaper. Mr. Al Harmy will be meeting ROTA youth Advisory board before the event to exchange thoughts on sports, education, leadership skills and media role in encouraging youth participation in the community events.
“We look forward to meeting the youth leaders, hearing their opinions and ideas for tackling the community, social and environmental issues that really matter to the young people of the world,” ROTA National Programs Director Mr. Mohamed Saleh told the media representatives.
Supported by a powerful program focusing on Leadership, Service Learning and Global Citizenship, organizers will integrate Sports, Environment, Skills Development and the Arabic language as key themes of the EMPOWER 2014 program.
For Reach Out To Asia, sport hugely matters. Not just because it is a great entertainment especially for youth, but being the vital part of rising up for every child in every country. Sport brings people together and teaches them important life lessons.
EMPOWER will enhance its reputation as a platform for the leaders of the future with yet more new innovations in 2014. The conference will create a regional network of youth activists by inviting youth to participate at EMPOWER 2014.
“The main aim of EMPOWER 2014 is to raise awareness and build knowledge and capacity to enable young people to take leadership roles in addressing local and international developmental issues of concern to them especially in the area of Sustainable Development and Sports” said Mr. Saleh.
“We’re thrilled to host the EMPOWER Youth Conference in 2014, an internationally recognized conference that shares Reach Out To Asia’s values in recognizing today’s youth as agents of change and the leaders of tomorrow”, he added.
Following the success of 5 previous EMPOWER conferences, ROTA is inviting regional youth activists this year. This will be a good platform for youth from different regions to network with the youth in Qatar; nine organizations from the United States of America, India, the United Kingdom, Lebanon and Qatar will take part in the conference and share their capabilities with Empower’s youth: Right to play (Lebanon), Coaches across continents (USA), Liverpool Sport Club Foundation (UK), Magic Bus (India), Aspire Academy, Qatar's Ministry of Youth and Sport, Aspetar, Qatar football association and Qatar Olympic Committee.
Demonstrating the wisdom of ROTA’s decision to ensure EMPOWER remains a youth-led conference, EMPOWER 2014 has been organized in collaboration with a Planning Committee comprising 30 youth volunteers.
The Planning Committee served EMPOWER by assisting ROTA in planning, implementing and coordinating certain elements of the conference. Whilst the Planning Committee attended planning meetings and allocated time and effort to implement their tasks, ROTA committed to provide training, workshops and a learning experience.
Since the EMPOWER Planning Committee began in 2010, ROTA has trained hundreds of youths who have gained experience and knowledge in video making, public speaking, event management, facilitation skills, social media skills and organizing skills.
“EMPOWER 2014 will focus on Sports for Youth Empowerment. Through sport, our youth will discover talents they never knew they had. With the participation of respected public figures as Dr. Auma Obama, Mr. Wilfried Lemke and Mr. Jaber Al Harmy, we will all benefit from their perception to gain a new understanding of Sport and Education as tools of change", said Mr. Saleh.
“We expect EMPOWER 2014 to be the best EMPOWER so far as youth delegates discover their voice, realize their potential to make a positive contribution and develop their skills, knowledge and attitudes to take on active leadership roles within their communities.” concluded Mr. Saleh.
ROTA is proud of the fact that EMPOWER has established its reputation as a forum for exchange of ideas, projects and reflections that address both local needs and global issues.
For complete details of the 6th EMPOWER Annual Youth Conference 2014, visit http://reachouttoasia.org/en/event-details/empower-2014
For the latest EMPOWER 2014 news :-visitwww.reachouttoasia.org<http://www.reachouttoasia.org/> or the ROTA Face book page at www.facebook.com/reachouttoasia<http://www.facebook.com/reachouttoasia
