24 November 2009
The 1st Muscat Youth Summit, from December 7 to 9, will bring together some 200 youngsters, nationals as well as expatriates, aged 14 to 21, from public and private schools and colleges in
the country.
“We’ve created the summit for young people who are dedicated to making positive change happen in their communities and in the world,” said Sayyid Faisal Al Said, CEO of Brand Oman Management Unit (BOMU), which is hosting the conference with support from the Ministry of Education
and UNESCO.
“Delegates will be exposed to a variety of discussions and debates leading to the Summit Declaration and plan of action for the following year,” he added. The event, coming soon after the sultanate celebrated its 39th National Day, is primarily meant to acknowledge the Gulf state’s achievements, but will also reflect on the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
“Today, Oman is an economically prosperous and vibrant nation. Yet, as we evolve, we face new challenges. In this regard, the summit offers Oman-based youth an opportunity to discuss Oman ‘on the move’. The summit will be a moment to look ahead at the challenges which will define the larger parts of the lives of the young people of today,” Sayyid Faisal said.
The agenda will cover the environment, urban planning, innovation and the arts. BOMU research has indicated that a major concern for young people is the immediate reduction of
carbon emissions.
“Time is ticking for us to take action to safeguard our climate,” Alya Al Hosni, BOMU official and Summit Organiser, stressed, adding that the delegates would discuss in-depth investing in clean and renewable energy, creating effective green jobs, and “demonstrating a commitment to managing a sustainable and clean economy”.
Fast-paced urbanisation — by 2030 city dwellers are slated to make up 60 per cent of the world’s population — and the numerous challenges it poses will also be high on the summit’s agenda. “Cities are where we are at our best and worst,” Sayyid Faisal observed.
“They’re home to many of mankind’s proudest achievements, but they’re also where our biggest challenges are to be faced,” he added.
“Creativity and innovation are central to addressing these challenges. Our cities need entrepreneurship and innovation to secure their long-term economic, cultural and social prosperity and this is precisely why creativity, urban development and sustainability have been placed on the Youth Summit’s agenda,” he added.
Sayyid Faisal said socio-economic indicators had improved over the past decade in Oman giving its cities a better human capital base to compete in an increasingly globalised economy, adding: “However, our cities will have to face sustained high rates of growth over the next 20 years, and this will continue to exert pressure on housing, health, education and infrastructure.
