'Youth are a wealth of knowledge and awareness'

To mark International Youth Day, Sheikha Hind Bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), said, "On International Youth Day, we recognise the wealth of knowledge, awareness and understanding that young people bring to a rapidly changing economy. The challenge now is to move creative minds from thinking and planning to action and impact. The world does not reward those who wait for ideal circumstances. It creates opportunities for those with the courage to take the first step and who see every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow.

"At SBWC, we turn our belief in this potential into practical support for young women entrepreneurs, particularly school and university students. We help them realise their potential, develop their ideas and turn them into viable projects by providing access to knowledge, guidance, professional networks and hands-on experience, enabling them to move forward with confidence. Our message to young people is simple. Let passion be your fuel and courage your approach. We will continue to stand beside them, helping transform promising ideas into success stories that contribute to our economy and society."

Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa remarked, “The entrepreneurship sector is undergoing significant transformation, driven by a generation of young talent with the ambition and courage to turn ideas into promising ventures, develop solutions to today’s challenges, and compete in rapidly evolving markets. We are seeing more young people turn to entrepreneurship as a pathway for professional growth, building businesses that create lasting economic and social impact.”

Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi

She added: “At Sheraa, we have worked over the years to develop the capabilities of more than 25,000 young people, nurture their entrepreneurial mindset, and support them at every stage of their journey, from building their skills and knowledge to launching and scaling their ventures. We also connect them with an integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem of experts, investors, and partners, helping them turn their ambitions into scalable and competitive businesses.

“International Youth Day is an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of continuing to invest in young talent and equipping them with the tools and opportunities they need to contribute to economic development, while further strengthening Sharjah’s and the UAE’s position as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.”

Hanadi Al Yafei

Hanadi Al Yafei, Director General of Child Safety Organisation, said: "International Youth Day is an opportunity to reaffirm that the role of the youth extends far beyond driving economic growth, innovation, and shaping the future. It also encompasses building more cohesive communities that are better equipped to protect their children. With their understanding of rapid societal change and their close connection to the digital and social spaces where children grow and interact, young people are essential partners in anticipating risks and fostering a culture of prevention and shared responsibility."

She added: "At the Child Safety Organisation, the youth are not merely the audience for awareness messages; they are partners in shaping them and transforming them into meaningful action. Through our programmes and initiatives, we are committed to creating opportunities that empower youth to participate in awareness campaigns, develop solutions that address both real-world and digital risks, and promote behaviours that safeguard children's rights and wellbeing. Our message to the youth is to make child protection part of their everyday choices, community initiatives, and professional journeys, because building a safe environment for every child begins with individual awareness and is sustained through the collective efforts of generations."