With a total of 130 programmes on offer, this year’s edition of Youth City 2030, which is the biggest since its launch 12 years ago, is in full swing at the state-of-the-art Exhibition World, Sakhir.
The innovative annual event held under the patronage of Youth Affairs Minister Rawan Tawfiq caters training opportunities to Bahraini youth of all ages and categories and aims at empowering them for the labour market. The strategic partner of the month-long national event is the Labour Fund (Tamkeen).
Youth Affairs Minister Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi highlighted that the number of youth participating in the programmes at the Youth City has continued to rise over the years. She was speaking to the state-run Bahrain News Agency as she toured the project along with ministers and ambassadors. The delegation was briefed on the activities of the city and the efforts of the volunteers involved. “The ministry worked on continuously bringing new ideas to Youth City every year, in line with its strategy to implement the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to support Bahraini youth as they are the wealth of the country,” said Ms Tawfiqi. She noted that the government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, considers youth a priority in all national projects.
“The success of Youth City was also supported by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, who is keen to empower Bahraini youth,” she added. “The city offers a variety of programmes that provide the opportunity for youth to learn and discover different fields, in addition to participating in various events, meeting new people, acquiring knowledge, and networking. The officials participating in the tour witnessed the enthusiasm of youth and their active role in the city.”
Through the 130 programmes, 2,740 training opportunities are being offered to Bahraini youngsters at Youth City 2030. The camp is one of the most important projects of the Youth Affairs Ministry, which aims at helping the Bahraini youth get trained in their skills and talents while also offering training opportunities to aid them in showcasing their creativity and innovation. It also helps the youth shape well to suit the emerging labour market requirements, which in turn will support them as part of the overall development of the kingdom. “The programmes are designed based on the needs of young people and the requirements of the labour market,” said Ms Tawfiqi.
“This year, Youth City 2030 provides 2,740 training opportunities in various fields, as it will offer more than 100 training programmes, professionally designed to meet the needs of young participants. It also seeks to develop their skills and abilities, provide them with the necessary expertise, enable them to achieve excellence, and prepare them to enter the labour market by activating the role of youth to achieve the comprehensive development of Bahrain at all levels.” This year, programmes will be offered under five broad categories: leadership and entrepreneurship, media and entertainment, arts and culture, science and technology, and sports and health. Each category offers a set of programmes focused on technical, practical, and creative aspects under the expert guidance of qualified trainers.
The programmes are divided into two age groups: the morning period is dedicated to participants aged nine to 14, and the evening period is for those aged 15 to 35. Free transportation to the venue is available from the ministry’s headquarters in Seef District, the Muharraq Model Youth Centre in Busaiteen, the Hamad Town Model Youth Centre, and the Bahrain Scientific Centre for Sustainable Development Goals in Isa Town. Only a few programmes require preregistration and interviews, such as the graffiti murals course and theatre and singing workshops.
Fifteen organisations are collaborating with the ministry, including Al Riwaq Art Space, the Project Management Institute, the AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation, the British Council, and the US Embassy. The Youth City 2030 programme runs until August 31.