Silatech launched the 'Forsa' programme in co-operation with the Excellence Center for Training and Consulting at Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, as part of Silatech's efforts to socially empower youth.

The programme will run from July 4 through August 17, 2020.

This first edition programme targets youth in the Middle East and North Africa region in terms of investing and developing their capabilities and building their leadership skills.

The programme aims to contribute in socially and economically empowering youth and strengthening their roles within society. This programme comes at a time where millions of youth around the globe are suffering from the devastating consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), over one in six youth remain out of work since the onset of this global, public health and economic crisis.

Over 3,000 youth from different Arab countries, have already registered for the programme.

The trainees will attend six courses including: Youth Empowering Strategies, Technology and Youth Identity, Invent your Job, A Leader for a Different Time, Youth Positive Leadership, and Entrepreneurship after the Pandemic.

Leading experts from various international organisations and entities including Unicef, the ILO, Al Sharq Youth Forum, Cisco, Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs in Qatar, and independent experts will present the courses.

Silatech Executive Director of Programmes Faisal al-Emadi said, "The corona pandemic had devastating economic repercussions, as millions of young people have lost their jobs, and therefore, it is important to upskill the youth by learning new skills."

The "Forsa" programme is really an important opportunity for them to develop their abilities and keep pace with technology through various specialised training programmes, and thus gain new skills and expertise in an effort to be qualified for a competitive job market". For her part, Vice President of Administration and Finance at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Dr Hend al-Muftah said that this

co-operation with Silatech in the 'Forsa' programme is purposely established to achieve the development goals of the international organisations to empower youth."The six training courses of the programme feature an integrated system of skills and expertise in various fields with the goals of developing youth awareness and to support their right to work. In addition, addressing unemployment issues and advancing entrepreneurship is essential," Dr al-Muftah added.

Director of the Executive Education Excellence Center at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Dr Farid El Sahn stated that all the courses included in the programme focus on instilling social empowerment techniques for youth in the society, developing their leadership skills, activating the effective communication and building a network of social support between youth.

Sheikha Noora al-Thani, Programme Officer at Silatech, said "the social empowerment of youth is one of the main axis in the Silatech strategy. We cherish this partnership with the Excellence Center for Training and Consulting and Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.

We also commend the other partners for their invaluable participation in the programme." The 'Forsa' programme came about as a result of a new partnership between Silatech and the Excellence Center for Training and Consulting at Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, at a challenging time where millions of youth, especially young women continue to suffer as a result of deteriorating economic conditions since the onset of Covid-19.

These unprecedented times require more significant efforts and an effective strategy to curb the pandemic repercussions from all sectors, including governments, private sector, international organisations, civil society, and financial institutions.

Silatech is an international, nonprofit, non-governmental social development organisation that works to connect youth with job opportunities. Strategic efforts and innovative solutions developed in partnership with local, regional, and international bodies unlock access to resources that allow them to establish and develop their own enterprises.

Presently, Silatech's programmes span 18 countries and actively combat unemployment, extremism and the marginalisation of young men and women, particularly in conflict-affected and fragile states.

Silatech also aims to socially empower youth by encouraging them to express their opinions on social issues and become active participants in building their societies.


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