World Youth Forum: We need to talk

By Ahmed Tanikhy 

The World Youth Forum, sponsored by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, is set to kick off on Saturday, November 5, in touristic destination, Sharm El-Sheikh, with the attendance of dozens of youth from different countries.

In April 2017, Al-Sisi announced during the fourth National Youth Conference held in Ismailiya, that Egyptian youth will participate in the WYF, to exchange expertise in different fields.

The Arab Youth Union for Freedom and Democracy, an organisation to gather the youth of liberal organisations in the Arab world, expressed support for the forum and that it is gearing up for it.

The six-day forum will discuss different youth issues, sustainable development topics and future leaders of the industry. The youth will also attend a simulation of Model United Nations (MUN) to come up with a peace resolution.

The forum aims at "Engaging youth from around the globe in an enriching convention, allowing them to express their views and recommend initiatives to decision makers and influential figures."

In October 2016, Al-Sisi launched the first National Youth Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh and declared launching it every three months to look into a number of topics of interest to Egyptian citizens, including price hikes and the joint responsibility shared between the state, society and citizens, as well as discussing prospects of sustainable development in the sectors of oil and electricity.

Message of peace

World Youth Forum is a platform that sends a message of peace, prosperity, harmony and progress to the entire world, as the forum will also address key issues for various cultural groups across the world, particularly humanitarian issues.

The opening session is scheduled to be held on November 5, On November 6, sessions will address a number of issues, including:

- Differences among cultures and civilizations: Conflict or integration?.

- Discussion of the AU theme of the year: Harnessing the demographicdividend through investments in youth.

- A youth vision to achieving sustainable development at a global level.

- Panel discussion on the adverse impacts of irregular migration on youth around the world.

- Reviewing means of co-operation in the field of irregular migration in themediterranean region.

- Towards a World United by Literature and Arts… A Vision for AchievingPeace through Culture.

- How can literature and arts mend what conflicts and wars destroy?.

- The Egyptian experience in building the future - A presentation of the Presidential Leadership Program (PLP) and the National Academy For Youth Training.

- Examples of the Leaders of the Future

On November 7, the forum will discuss:

- Challenges and Issues Facing World Youth. Means to overcome towards building a better future

- Entrepreneurship and Innovation…The Youth Shape the future of the World

- The Egyptian Experience in Hosting Refugees

- Capitalizing on the potentials of Youth to Achieve Development

- Dialogue among Generations

- The Cultural Dimension of Globalization and its Impact on Youth's Cultural Identity

- The role of press freedom in nation

- Promoting Youth Participation in Decision-Making

- Inspiring Experiences from the youth Around the World 

On November 8, the forum will discuss:

- Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

- The future of Global Climate Change

- The impact of Technology on Education

- Women's Role in Decision-Making Circles

- Means to Enhance Women's Political, Social and Economic Participation?

- Rebuilding State Institutions in Conflict Zones

- Youth Contribution to Building and Keeping Peace in Conflict and Post-Conflict Zones

- Youth Social Responsibility and Volunteering

- The Role of Cinema in Combating Extremism

- The Impact of War and Conflict in eroding the Identity of the youth.

The fourth and last day, November 9, will witness the forum's closing session and voting on the draft resolution.

We Need To Talk

The forum's manager, Gihan el-Hadidy, said preparations were ongoing to host 3,000 guests from 86 countries to attend the World Youth Forum, the biggest event Egypt hosts in 23 years.

The guest list includes world leaders, representatives of youth from all continents and young entrepreneurs from various fields to share the story of their success and inspire others.

The hashtag (WeNeedToTalk), launched by the organising committee, has attracted a large audience and has led to the interaction of many young people from all over the world where, they shared their ideas and impressions about the forum.

El-Hadidy added that participation in the forum was managed by registrations through the official website and the young Egyptians who will take part in the forum will be representing the whole republic to give them the chance to express their hopes, projects and ideas before the whole world. Some participants are recommended by different embassies in Egypt as well. 

The forum will witness the presence of young Egyptians abroad, the sons of the Egyptian communities who never had the chance to come home and share their ambitions with their country.

Writer is the head of the press office of the Egyptian Embassy in Uganda