Dr. Faisal bin Youssef Al-Anazi The Secretary-General of The Arab Council for Youth (ACFY), emphasized that the launch of the Arab Council for Youth Award (ACYF Award) is part of the council's societal and scientific responsibility, reaffirming its prominent role in engaging youth, enhancing their capabilities, and recognizing outstanding and creative young people across various sectors and on a global scale. He added that the award acknowledges unique and successful developmental innovations by young people, which will undoubtedly serve as a significant motivator for others.
Dr. Al-Anazi stated that the award primarily targets youth who possess innovative developmental thinking and are capable of creating new visions that align with and keep pace with contemporary changes and challenges in the field of development. Additionally, it aims to qualify and encourage them to contribute to addressing key developmental challenges in their communities using unconventional means and tools, while developing personal skills to prepare, qualify, and empower youth with knowledge, skills, and developmental entrepreneurship. It also fosters a deep and comprehensive understanding of the requirements of community development and entrepreneurship, as well as creative thinking, and highlights initiatives and projects using innovative tools.
For his part, Mr. Anwar Buhassan, Secretary-General of the Arab Voluntary Union, emphasized the importance of continuing to adopt strategies and visions that enhance the role of youth as key partners in development and the fundamental force upon which countries rely in the face of the challenges and changes the world is witnessing.
Buhassan said, "We believe that investing in the capacities, energies, and creativity of youth yields the best returns for sustainable development and the future well-being of any country. Therefore, we are keen to encourage pioneering initiatives that help young people enhance their capabilities through training, skill-building, and experience exchange, and expand their opportunities to choose the future they desire and contribute to the well-being of their lives".
It is worth noting that the total financial awards allocated for the prize amount to 160,000 US dollars, distributed across three tracks: youth tracks, individuals who have made valuable contributions to youth of all ages, and entities and institutions that contribute to youth empowerment: public government sectors, private sectors, non-governmental organizations, professional and labor organizations. The first track of the award includes four areas: technological culture, creativity and problem-solving, peaceful communities, and linguistic empowerment. The awards will be presented during the closing ceremony in December 2023 at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo.
