The inaugural Youth Media Forum, which concluded today, emphasised the urgent need to create a dedicated platform for knowledge and experience transfer that can nurture and engage youth in the media sector.
In his opening address at the one-day Forum, held in the presence of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and member of the Dubai Council, Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, said that establishing such a platform will equip the younger generation with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and contribute meaningfully to the media landscape and maintain the highest professional values and ethical standards in the field.
Organised by the Dubai Press Club, the first Youth Media Forum was organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.
In his address, Al Falasi said the recent announcement by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on X (formerly Twitter) to seek out an outstanding young individual to represent youth concerns within the UAE government underscores the priority the UAE’s leadership places on empowering youth and actively listening to their opinions and concerns.
A nation’s future is moulded by its enlightened youth, who possess the capacity to confront contemporary challenges with initiative and unwavering enthusiasm, he added.
Al Falasi further highlighted that His Highness‘s choice of one of the most widely used social media platforms for this announcement also underscores the need to embrace modern technologies and tools and harness them effectively to engage more closely with vital audiences and stakeholders.
“In the UAE, our leadership has instilled in us the significance of anticipating future needs and preparing to confront challenges, as part of striving for global leadership. Raising our stature on the global stage requires a committed investment in our young people, as they are the architects of our future,”
he remarked.
Al Falasi also emphasised the need for the media industry to evolve in line with the rapid transformations in the sector in order to continue generating competitive and impactful content. Additionally, he underscored the need for media students to enhance their ability to navigate the swiftly changing media landscape and confront challenges with creative solutions.
He added that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence play a pivotal role in shaping the future of media, ushering in changes that will reshape the very essence of the media landscape as we know it.
The Youth Media Forum featured a series of sessions including panel discussions and workshops led by experts from international media organisations focused on exploring ways to raise the competencies of the next generation of media professionals in a rapidly evolving environment.
News Source: Emirates News Agency