JEDDAH: The Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation (MISK) held an online forum to promote entrepreneurship and help people share their expertise on communication.

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was in the audience to listen to a number of ministers and officials from various Gulf countries. These included Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Nahyan, foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad bin Mohammad Al-Khalifa, foreign minister of Bahrain.

“Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is an inspiration to Arab youth,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Nahyan.

The minister and officials thank the deputy crown prince for his efforts with developing the youth.

Other who shared their expertise included Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, minister of state for ministers’ council affairs of Kuwait, and Khalid bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah, minister of state for defense affairs of Qatar.

The discussions were chaired by Dawood Al-Shirian, known widely for his Al-Thamina ma Dawood show on MBC.

Adel Al-Jubeir said “I rarely tweet, but view social networks as a positive thing in the Arab World…I am new to Twitter and I try to learn from my children.” He warned: “Whats posted on Twitter can in no means be used accurately as a public opinion poll in the country”

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Nahyan said “I regretted some of the tweets that I had retweet for the misconception they triggered.”

They discussed the influence of social media in the way government officials deal with citizens, and its role in understanding what is happening among ordinary people.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Sabah said “I worry about our countries regarding the spreading incorrect information, but I see the virtual world positively.” He added that 32% of Kuwaiti citizens use Twitter meaning

that it’s an important means of communication and for receiving information.

They also touched on various ideas proposed by young people and how to deal with extremism and sectarianism on social media platforms.