A youth dialogue on jobs as a driver of growth, opportunity, and stability was organised in Doha by QatarDebate – founded by Qatar Foundation –in collaboration with Georgetown University in Qatar (GUQ), the World Bank Group, and Education Above All Foundation (EAA).
The dialogue was held with the participation of Bank Group (WBG) president Ajay Banga, and attended by academics and stakeholders concerned with development affairs.
The session witnessed strong engagement from participants, with in-depth discussions on youth-led solutions and the importance of multi-sector collaboration in addressing economic and development challenges.
During the session, Banga stressed that job creation is among the most pressing priorities in the global economy, emphasising that the provision of sustainable employment opportunities constitutes a fundamental pillar for achieving growth and stability.
He highlighted the importance of empowering young people by equipping them with relevant skills and education, and expanding access to economic opportunities to address labour market challenges and ensure more inclusive and resilient growth.
Banga noted that the WBG continues to support countries in this area through promoting inclusive economic policies, investing in human capital, supporting education and training, building capacity, financing development projects, and providing technical and advisory support.
GUQ dean Safwan Masri outlined the role played by the university in promoting intellectual dialogue, linking academic research to real-world development challenges, and empowering youth to actively engage in international discussions on the future of work and economic opportunities.
EAA chief executive (Economic Empowerment) Mana Mohammed al-Ansari said that improving employment opportunities requires a practical and direct linkage between education and labour market needs, noting that such linkage represents the most realistic pathway to expanding employment opportunities and strengthening economic stability in the medium and long term.