Bahrain-based Youth Pioneer Society has been recognised in a global competition designed to generate ideas for youth empowerment and create positive social impact.  

The ‘MiSK NGO Award for Innovation in Youth Empowerment’, organized by the Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation (MiSK), will be presented as part of the Unesco NGO Global Forum taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from May 3-4.

Hosted by MiSK, the forum will see more than 400 NGOs from around the world gather together for two days of discussion, learning and brainstorming on how civil society can accelerate youth empowerment to create positive social impact. A number of other Bahraini organizations are attending the forum, including the Environment Friends Society and the Youth & Technology Society.

The competition received over 70 entries from NGOs around the world, and the five finalists will now have the opportunity to win a $30,000 prize fund to be used as seed capital that will put the winning project into practice to help young people effect positive social change.

Youth Pioneer Society’s idea was the ‘Youth Parliamentarian program’, designed to bring together both youth and Bahraini parliamentarians together in an open forum. The program, which targets participants – both male and female – between the ages of 18 and 25, aims to unite decision makers, stakeholders and public officials in charge of youth welfare programs, as well as the youth themselves, in order to organize constructive dialogue. The end result, it hopes, will be independent youth leaders, and active citizens capable of informed decision-making.

Commenting ahead of the forum, Bader Alasaker, MiSK secretary general, said:  “With over 1,600 delegates from around the world attending, we know that they will bring boundless passion and expertise to keep the sessions at the forum focused on achieving practical, effective outcomes which empower youth.

“Governments can legislate and regulate but it is imperative that civil society and NGOs effect change. This event shows that there is a strong desire for people to want to make a difference, and it is our hope that the ideas borne out of the competition bear tangible fruit in the near future.”  

The NGOs and delegates present at the conference will be joined by a host of renowned speakers – including Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, as well as nine-time Olympic Gold medallist Carl Lewis. Speakers and delegates will be leading a number of workshops and sessions that aim to tackle issues such as sustainability, culture and technology.

The MiSK Foundation was founded by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman with a mission to empower, nurture and inspire Saudi Arabia’s youth to become active participants in the global economy. It is a non-profit organisation which works to develop a knowledge-based economy by promoting practical schemes to support young people in developing the right entrepreneurial and cognitive skills. - TradeArabia News Service