Published: Mon 26 Nov 2018, 5:59 PM
Updated: Mon 26 Nov 2018, 8:12 PM
Raising a young generation of responsible, socially aware citizens must be a top priority for communities, schools, businesses and families in the UAE, said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance.
On the first day of the 'Aqdar World Summit: Nourishing Minds, Flourishing Nations' on Monday, cabinet members, ministers, military officials and experts from the UAE and around the world gathered at Adnec to shed light on the importance and the role of human empowerment in developing stable societies.
The two-day event, held under the directives of Lt-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, tackles sustainable development and what it means for people and societies.
"The founding father of the UAE was keen on turning the nation into a community that is based on knowledge, (which can be achieved) by focusing on education. His strategy sought to build future generations," Sheikh Nahyan said.
The Minister of Tolerance pointed out that the UAE government is focusing on providing every opportunity possible for the youth to develop their skills and become future leaders.
"New generations have to play their role in preserving the heritage of the UAE and carry on the successes of the country's vision, which is to live in peace, whether locally or globally," he said.
Social development is an objective that dates back to the country's foundation, with the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan advocating equal opportunities and respect for women and upholding justice, among other aspects of human empowerment.
"The world now is in need of the wisdom that was embodied in the deeds and words of the late Sheikh Zayed. This wisdom is our path to empowerment, to ensure the human's role in social progress and economic prosperity," Sheikh Nahyan said.
Dr Hatem Aly, representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for GCC Countries, agreed that empowering the youth is key to sustainable development.
He explained that UN's sustainability reports that monitor countries' achievements confirm that despite the remarkable progress achieved, the tangible results still do not meet the aspirations of vision 2030.
The world summit, he said, is thus crucial in providing "an international platform where leaders can discuss policies and strategies to achieve stable societies that will lead to sustainable development".
Dr Boyan Radoykov, chief of section, communication and information sector for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), explained that the organisation believes that political and economic agreements are not enough to build lasting peace.
"It is evident that through different approaches, we all strive for the same goal: the protection of peace, the sustainable development and the universal respect of justice," he said.
"Peace must be established on the basis of humanity's moral and intellectual solidarity and the empowerment of populations especially through education."
Dr Radoykov called on governments to invest in policies that foster quality education for the youth.
"We have the necessary knowledge to deliver on our most challenging task - the task to secure a better and safer world for our children and consequently leave behind a decent legacy," he said.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com