Dubai: Digital Dubai has announced the formation of a youth council aimed at enhancing youth involvement in innovation and future-building initiatives. The announcement was made from its stand at the Dubai Government Pavilion during GITEX Global 2024.
This council will consist of young professionals and will operate under a clear methodology. This decision was made by His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, and pertains to the establishment of the “Digital Dubai Youth Council.”
The council represents various departments within the Authority and is led by Reem Al Falasi, with Khalifa Juma Bin Thaleth as Vice President. The council’s membership includes Abdel Khaliq Murad Mohammed Ahmed, Maitha Nasser Muthanna Nasser, Badr Abdullah Khalaf Al Ghaith, Maryam Sufian bin suloom Al Falasi, and Hamda bin Zayed Al Falasi, who serves as the General Coordinator in line with her membership in the council.
His Excellency Tariq Yousef Al Janahi, CEO of the Corporate Enablement Sector at Digital Dubai, emphasized that this initiative reflects Digital Dubai’s commitment to empowering youth and enhancing their role in leading the digital transformation process, in alignment with the directives of our wise leadership.
H.E. Al Janahi stated that, “At Digital Dubai, we believe in our exceptional and dedicated young talents, and in their important role in making our future promising. We have chosen GITEX Global 2024 as a suitable platform for announcing the formation of the Digital Dubai Youth Council, as it provides an overview of the future that will be led by the youth.
HE also added that, “The qualifications of the council members, reflect their high ambitions and professionalism inspired by their faith in our nation and our wise leadership, indicating that this council is an institutional reflection of government directions that support the youth. The council will enhance youth contributions to innovative projects, as well as preparing leaders for the future and empowering them to assume upcoming responsibilities, in an era based on rapid transformation, innovation, flexibility, and future thinking.”
استضاف مجلس شباب دبي الرقمية بالتعاون مع مجلس دبي للشباب في جناح حكومة دبي، حلقة شبابية بعنوان "دور الشباب في التحول الرقمي في عصر الذكاء الاصطناعي"، بهدف التوعية بدور الشباب في قيادة التحول الرقمي ومواكبة التطورات التكنولوجية في عصر الذكاء الاصطناعي.#دبي_الرقمية pic.twitter.com/sZ8QYsnRQV
— Digital Dubai دبي الرقمية (@DigitalDubai) October 16, 2024
Al Janahi expressed gratitude to the Dubai Youth Council for its support and cooperation in forming and governing the council effectively, in collaboration with the Federal Youth Authority.
Hassan Sabt, President of the Dubai Youth Council, expressed pride in the formation of the Digital Dubai Youth Council and emphasized the critical role of the youth in realizing Dubai’s future vision.
Sabt highlighted that, “The formation of the Digital Dubai Youth Council is a significant step toward empowering youth to contribute effectively to shaping the future of digital transformation in Dubai. At the Dubai Youth Council, we believe that youth are the cornerstone of achieving innovation and sustainability in technology and digitization. We will collaborate closely with our colleagues in other youth councils to exchange knowledge and experiences, driving digital development in a way that meets the ambitions of Dubai and our wise leadership.”
Reem Al Falasi, Chairperson of the Digital Dubai Youth Council, remarked that, “It is a great honour for me and my colleagues in the Council to bear the responsibility of contributing to shaping the future of Dubai through the Digital Dubai Youth Council. We are grateful to the Authority’s leadership for this trust, and we will strive to meet expectations, God willing, while ensuring effective communication and collaboration with our colleagues in other youth councils across Dubai and the UAE for mutual benefit.”
The decision to establish the council outlines its goals, which aim to enhance the involvement of youth in innovation and promote ideas and institutional programs across multiple professional, social, and national areas that align with their aspirations.
The council will motivate young individuals to suggest potential enhancements to the services provided by Digital Dubai, with an emphasis on training and fostering a dynamic work environment based on creative thinking.
Role of Youth
In conjunction with the announcement of the council’s formation, Digital Dubai in collaboration with Dubai Youth Council, held a panel discussion on its platform at GITEX Global 2024 titled “The Role of Youth in Digital Transformation in the AI Age.”
The session featured contributions from H.E. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar, Supreme Legislation Committee Secretary General, H.E. Major General Khalid Nasser Alrazooqi, General Director of Artificial Intelligence, Dubai Police, Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Hamdan Al Nuaimi,
HE Tariq Yousef Al Janahi, CEO of the Corporate Enablement Sector at Digital Dubai, Her Excellency Dr. Moza Suwaidan, CEO of the Digital Applications and Platforms Sector at Digital Dubai Government Establishment; Ali Alkhajeh, Chief AI Officer at Digital Dubai Government Establishment; Ghaith Al Suwaidi, Chief AI Officer, Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment; and Ghaith Matar Al Mazina, Senior Director of the Digital City Department at Digital Dubai, also joined the occasion.
Key themes
Future of Jobs: Discussion on how artificial intelligence will impact youth employment and the preparation needed for these changes.
Capacity Building: Emphasis on the necessary digital skills for youth and how they can develop these skills to keep pace with rapid advancements.
Importance of Data: Exploration of data’s role in supporting innovation and digital transformation, including how youth can effectively benefit from data.
Risks of Artificial Intelligence: Discussion on the risks associated with AI and the importance of balancing innovation with societal protection from potential hazards.
Additionally, the council will promote the exchange of skills and knowledge among youth sectors across the Emirate of Dubai, facilitating discussions on various youth-related topics with entities involved in digital transformation. It will invite experts and specialists to its meetings to gain diverse perspectives and specialized insights.
The council will also organize youth events at both the authority and emirate levels and represent Digital Dubai at youth events hosted by other organizations, including participation in the Dubai Youth Council.
Through these initiatives, the council aims to empower youth and strengthen their contributions to Dubai’s digital transformation and innovation landscape.