Regarded as potent catalysts for change, young individuals possess an arsenal of knowledge, innovative solutions, and critical thinking acumen. August 12 is observed as International Youth Day as a mark of global commitment to equip the youth with education, awareness, a proactive mindset, and the requisite skill set.
This year's theme, ‘Green Skills for Youth: Paving the Path to a Sustainable World,’ underscores the vital significance of empowering young minds with the competencies needed to nurture a greener planet. The selection of the theme, a collaborative effort involving youth organisations and members of the UN Inter-Agency Network, is oriented towards fostering youth development.
It was in 1999 when the United Nations General Assembly officially declared August 12 as International Youth Day. Part of the custom is also to choose a particular theme looking at various challenges that face youth of the world.
The day is celebrated in many ways and one of the suggestions had also been to have round table discussions between adults and young people.
An advantage of the day is also that the youth of the world come together. The youth is always known for creative and original ideas supported with energy and enthusiasm.
In Oman, the Dhofar Governorate hosted youths from the Gulf region at the Gulf Forum for Youth Volunteering, which brought together youth volunteers to create awareness for volunteering.
One of the workshops they were attending looked at, ‘Designing non-profit projects’ where the prospective young volunteers learnt how to evaluate a project’s financial feasibility, developing marketing plans for them, attracting funding, and sustainability.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth stated, ‘Volunteer Project Management’ workshop comes at the Gulf Forum for Youth Volunteering dealing with several topics, the most important of which are: Managing voluntary projects and their stages - setting goals and planning, managing project resources (financial and human), evaluating the project in all its stages, and basic strategies in implementing projects.
The forum at the Dhofar Governorate looked at spaces for exchanging dialogue and experiences among Gulf youth.
Training workshops were held in the field of volunteering as well as the design and management of volunteer projects as well as four proposals for projects that serve volunteer work locally and in the Gulf countries.
The Objective of the Gulf Forum for Youth Volunteering is to establish a culture of volunteering among Gulf youths and develop a sense of responsibility and interaction with others.
The forum also highlighted inspiring examples of pioneering youth initiatives in the field of volunteer work.
The forum stated that the young men and women acquired new experiences and skills by participating in humanitarian volunteer work, exchange of expertise and experiences in voluntary work among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
