There was a special session on the role of youth in social development. It was titled “Youth: Strategic Partner of Development” and participants discussed how to involve young men and women in social development programs.
The forum saw the announcement of a new initiative launched by the Prince Majed bin Abdulaziz Society for Development and Social Services in association with Columbia University Research Center and Dar Al-Hekma College to train volunteers in the not-for-profit sector.
Another initiative was launched to establish a digital library for social welfare in Muslim societies.
“The first initiative aims to make use of the expertise of the sustainable development institute at the Columbia center,” said an official from the society, adding that the organization would register those seeking training.
Suhair Hassan Al-Qurashi, dean of Dar Al-Hekma, commended the role of the society in encouraging the private sector to carry out social responsibility programs.
Speaking about the second initiative, the official said it would be the first such digital library in the Islamic world that aims to provide information about social development programs with graphics, scientific analyses and documents.
It would cover social development programs in Muslim-majority countries from 1900 to the present day. The library is a joint venture between the John Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement and the American University in Cairo.
Addressing the opening session on Saturday, Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed, the forum’s chairman, emphasized the role of individuals in boosting the country's development by taking part in various constructive programs.
The prince said efforts were under way to implement the proposals made by the last forum.
Prominent participants in the forum include Education Minister Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, Social Affairs Minister Yousuf Al-Othaimeen and Labor Minister Adel Fakeih.
