JEDDAH, 20 April 2007 — The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) in the Makkah region has launched a large-scale youth empowerment program with the support of seven public and private agencies in order to develop the skills and capabilities of young Saudi men and women with an aim of making them useful citizens.
“This is a unique project,” said Dr. Abdul Wahab Noorwali, general coordinator of the program. “It aims to train the youth to train their counterparts. Within a couple of years, the project will benefit a large numbers of youth, bringing about a total change in their life, behavior and attitude,” he told Arab News.
The program, which is entitled “Together We Make Youth Constructive & Contributing,” began on March 18 with a presentation on “Effective Learning Skills” by Rashad Abdul Wahab Faqeeha that was held at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). About 650 Saudi students took part in the JCCI program.
The second training program on “Building Self-Confidence” was held at the King Abdul Aziz University (KAU) on the day before yesterday when Samir Habeeb Banten and Dr. Ayman Tunsi trained 30 KAU students on how to build self-confidence and making their priorities. The event also explained ways of becoming successful in life.
Noorwali spoke about the significance of the project, which was prepared after two years of detailed studies with the help of Saudi and foreign experts. “For the first time we have such a unified and effective national project, which has abeen implemented with the support of agencies engaged in educating and training the youth.” The program has won the support of the Makkah governorate, KAU, the Um Al-Qura University, the Presidency of Youth Welfare, the JCCI, the District Community Centers and Saudi Economic & Development Company and other businesses.
He also spoke about KAU’s leading role in the project as it holds a variety of effective manpower development programs for Saudi graduates.
Dr. Muhammad Badahdah, assistant secretary-general of WAMY, said the project would help tap the capabilities of Saudi youth for constructive activities. “The program is aimed at building a new generation of young men and women who can make positive contributions to society and to the Ummah at large,” said Badahdah.
Noorwali, the project’s main architect, emphasized the need to create a conducive environment for the youth to develop their skills and capabilities. “We will hold a variety of programs simultaneously at different locations including at the KAU, the Um Al-Qura university, technical colleges, district community centers, girls education centers, etc.,” he explained.
The programs are directed to deal with certain youth problems. “We’ll review the outcome of each program to find out its effectiveness,” he added.
Dr. Saleh ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Keraim, dean for student affairs at KAU, promised his organization’s full support for the project. “Our university has been very keen about this project since it was first discussed at the Makkah Regional Council. Its message is KAU’s message as it dealt with youth,” he added.
