Qatar-based Silatech, the international, socio-economic development organisation that seeks to connect youth with meaningful jobs and sustainable employment opportunities, brought together a dynamic group of motivated youth from the Mena region during an inspiring 'Designing Post-Covid Humanity' (DPCH) interactive networking session. It was specifically created to develop innovative ideas and tangible solutions aimed at empowering youth facing compounding challenges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition, the networking session served as a platform for youth to engage with one another and provided them with opportunities to engage with potential partners to facilitate their social entrepreneur initiatives. The networking session led by Silatech provided various insights to the 229 young participants of DPCH 3T programme -- design post-Covid humanity -- 'taaruf', 'taawun' and 'tarahum'.
"With the diligent structure and effective implementation of the session by Silatech youth advocates, participants from 43 different countries had a chance to acquaint themselves with the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem of Qatar. Furthermore, Silatech (taaruf) played a key role and was instrumental in connecting youth and co-operation during the case studies (taawun) and cultivated for a more merciful future (tarahum) for youth," acknowledged Assistant Dean of Innovation and Community Development and Associate Professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Dr Evren Tok.
Silatech youth advocates Haya al-Thani and Ahmed al-Tamimi moderated the discussions, covering important topics including, youth and women empowerment, jobs, capacity building and Silatech's quest to achieve 5mn jobs by 2022.
Participants explored real-life case studies of marginalised youth within vulnerable communities, rising unemployment, diminishing resources, lack of education, and the importance of capacity building for youth, especially women.
To understand the complexity of the struggles and provide appropriate solutions, youth attendees defined the issues and contributed viable recommendations alongside youth empowerment and innovation experts from UNDP Lebanon and Riyada Innovation to establish the way forward and bring about proven solutions to change lives for the better.
"When we empower women, we contribute to the economy and the development of their societies," stated Social & Local Development Officer, UNDP Lebanon Nada Sweidan. "Covid-19 has not only affected loss of jobs but also impacted us mentally, and we miss the human interaction," added Sweidan.
"We focus on transforming youth into social innovators and change makers by providing them with the right skills, social innovation, and social entrepreneur skills, said a representative of Riyada Innovation Jihane Charaf El Dine.
"With the diligent structure and effective implementation of the session by Silatech youth advocates, participants from 43 different countries had a chance to acquaint themselves with the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem of Qatar. Furthermore, Silatech (taaruf) played a key role and was instrumental in connecting youth and co-operation during the case studies (taawun) and cultivated for a more merciful future (tarahum) for youth," acknowledged Assistant Dean of Innovation and Community Development and Associate Professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Dr Evren Tok.
Silatech youth advocates Haya al-Thani and Ahmed al-Tamimi moderated the discussions, covering important topics including, youth and women empowerment, jobs, capacity building and Silatech's quest to achieve 5mn jobs by 2022.
Participants explored real-life case studies of marginalised youth within vulnerable communities, rising unemployment, diminishing resources, lack of education, and the importance of capacity building for youth, especially women.
To understand the complexity of the struggles and provide appropriate solutions, youth attendees defined the issues and contributed viable recommendations alongside youth empowerment and innovation experts from UNDP Lebanon and Riyada Innovation to establish the way forward and bring about proven solutions to change lives for the better.
"When we empower women, we contribute to the economy and the development of their societies," stated Social & Local Development Officer, UNDP Lebanon Nada Sweidan. "Covid-19 has not only affected loss of jobs but also impacted us mentally, and we miss the human interaction," added Sweidan.
"We focus on transforming youth into social innovators and change makers by providing them with the right skills, social innovation, and social entrepreneur skills, said a representative of Riyada Innovation Jihane Charaf El Dine.