The Opening of the Third Arab Youth Forum with Participants from 17 Countries
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Alexandria—
On Thursday, 28 February 2008, the Third Arab Youth Forum “Youth and the Role of Media in Establishing Culture of Peace, Security and Development” (28 February-1 March 2008) was launched at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, with the participation of 17 countries.
In the opening session, Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the BA, addressed the participants through a recorded speech. In his speech, Dr. Serageldin stated that supporting youth is the primary task of the Library and explained that the issue presented before this Forum is the role of the media, being one of the most prominent issues in the international arena.
Beshir Harab, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Youth in Alexandria, gave a speech on behalf of Dr. Safi el-Din Kharboush, Head of National Council for Youth, where he thanked the Dialogue Forum for always seeking to hold youth conferences that allow them to give recommendations to decision-makers in the Arab region, especially on matters related to media, development and peace.
Gawad El Nabolsi, member of the Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement and representative of Arab youth, spoke to the Forum expressing the concerns of the new generation over critical issues in the world.
As for young women, Montaha Oraykat, from the Kingdom of Jordan, pointed out that this Forum deals with many issues and themes raised in the international and Arab arena, and contributes to the refinement of the minds of young people, gives impetus to the efforts made to meet the global changes in various areas, and helps young people to develop into future leaders.
In the closing session, Dr. Ali El Din Helal, expressed his delight at the presence of large number of young Arab and Egyptian youth, with different cultural backgrounds to communicate and discuss the reality and the future of their countries.
He stressed that these Forums should not be limited to youth from capital and major cities, but there must also be an opportunity for youth from regions and provinces to express their views, discuss different issues and problems and to open to others. He advised young people to identify their goals, especially as they belonged to one spirit: the spirit of Arabism.
The themes of this Forum are a continuation of the themes discussed at the First Forum (8 to 10 February 2006); Democracy and Political Participation for Youth, Arab Youth and Employment Issues, Preparation of Arab Youth Leaderships, Youth and Future Visions and the Second Forum Youth (26 to 28 February 2007); Economic Development Culture, and Private Enterprises, Role of Education and Training in Acquiring Skills, Relationship between Youth, Authority and Society, the Image of Arabs in the West.