The Arab Council for Youth, in cooperation with the Arab Voluntary Union in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has launched the first edition of the Arab Council for Youth Award. The award, held under the patronage of the League of Arab States, aims to promote a culture of quality and excellence, encourage youth organizations to improve their performance and services, and highlight and recognize outstanding administrative practices in the care and development of youth.

In this context, Dr. Issa bin Hassan Al-Ansari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Council for Youth, said: "The award comes within the framework of the Council's objectives and vision to discover distinguished and creative youth in various jobs, levels, and sectors, and to support them and provide them with the opportunity to realize their potential and express their achievements and contributions. It also aims to honor youth organizations for their achievements and outstanding performance in the fields of management, leadership, and scientific research".

Dr. Al-Ansari affirmed that the Council will continue to support and assist youth in the fields of development and creative ideas, and provide awareness and education to the youth of the world, encouraging them to participate in comprehensive development in all countries to achieve development visions and plans that meet the needs of society.

For his part, Mr. Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, explained that the launch of the first edition of The Arab Council for Youth Award comes within the framework of strengthening partnerships and exchanging experiences with the Arab Council for Youth to enhance youth and development work, and to support the efforts of the world's youth to make positive changes that benefit their societies. It also aims to enrich thought and creativity among youth at the Arab and global levels, adopt their development initiatives, and enhance and develop capacities and cadres.

Buhazza affirmed that the Arab Voluntary Union is always seeking to achieve cooperation between various entities in the Arab countries and mobilize the creative energies of Arab people, supporting and investing them in what benefits comprehensive Arab development.
Buhazza pointed out that the award is based on three main points: awareness and education through the application of excellence standards to develop and improve performance at all job levels, especially the leadership level, and the transfer of knowledge and exchange of best practices and experiences between youth organizations locally, regionally, and internationally to ensure the continuous development of the concept of excellence. He added that the award targets young people aged 15 to 40, individuals who have made valuable contributions to youth of all ages, and entities and institutions that contribute to youth empowerment, including government and private sectors, non-governmental organizations, professional and labor organizations. The first track of the award will include four areas: technological culture, creativity and problem-solving, peaceful societies, and linguistic empowerment.

Buhazza indicated that the participation in the award started on July 7 and will continue until August 10, 2023. Projects can be submitted in both English and Arabic through the award's website: acfyaward.org.

Mr. Charbel Kablan, Advisor to the President of the Arab Voluntary Union in the Kingdom of Bahrain, participated in the large press conference that launched the announcement of "Beirut - Capital of Arab Youth for 2023". The event took place at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in the presence of Minister Dr. George Kallas and UNICEF’s representative in Lebanon, Mr. Edouard Beigbeder.

During the opening, the Lebanese Minister of Youth and Sports stated, "Today, the Arab Youth Capital comes to affirm Lebanon’s desire to turn challenges into opportunities and its determination to overcome the economic hardships it faces. It aims to bring Arabs back to Lebanon through the most crucial gateway, the youth, the key to the future and the foundation of our tomorrow, as a united nation with a common destiny and a national vision for youth and their role".

The press conference was also attended by a wide array of young figures, media personnel, and representatives of the entities partnering with the ministry in organizing and managing activities. These entities include the Arab Voluntary Union, The Lebanese Scout Association, the Lebanese Youth Hostel Federation, and the Lebanese Guides and Scouts Association.

Hail Municipality, in collaboration with the Arab Voluntary Union, The United Nations Volunteers programme, and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, concluded a four-day training course titled "Innovative Volunteering for Urban Sustainability" yesterday. This initiative marked the first of 17 training programs launched by the Arab Voluntary Union, which will be rolled out across various governorates.

The course, which drew participation from 34 volunteers, aimed to align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals for cities. The training resulted in the development of six innovative projects, meticulously crafted by the participants, who were divided into specialized project teams.

Source: SPA-KSA

His Excellency Hassan Buhazza, President of the Good Word Society and the Arab Voluntary Union, received His Excellency Yasser Mohammed Shaaban, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Bahrain, at his office at the Society's headquarters. The meeting aimed to explore ways to enhance joint cooperation and coordination and to familiarize the ambassador with the Society's activities and programs.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Hassan Buhazza welcomed the Egyptian ambassador and commended the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt, as well as the historical ties between the Bahraini and Egyptian peoples. He also highlighted the strong cooperation and coordination between civil society organizations in both countries.

Buhazza emphasized the importance of strengthening joint cooperation between the two brotherly countries in all fields and continuing to bolster bilateral cooperation in voluntary, charitable, and humanitarian work. He praised the unlimited support provided by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, for voluntary, charitable, and humanitarian work in Bahrain and around the world, as well as the strong support provided by the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.  

This support has contributed to the Good Word Society achieving many accomplishments at both the local and international levels.

For his part, the Egyptian ambassador praised the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and the activities and programs of the Society that he was briefed on. He expressed his pride in the strong and shared relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Bahrain in various fields, commending the significant efforts made by the Kingdom of Bahrain in the charitable, voluntary, and humanitarian fields and the development witnessed in all sectors of the Kingdom.

His Excellency Engineer Sultan Al-Zaidi, the Governor of Hail, along with a delegation from the Arab Voluntary Union and representatives from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, inaugurated the "Innovative Volunteering" training program.

The program, which comprises 17 training courses to be conducted across all governorates in Saudi Arabia, aims to foster a culture of volunteering and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The inaugural course, targeting 32 volunteers from the Hail region, will run for four days (totaling 20 training hours).

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center concluded a vocational training program in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, with the participation of the Arab Voluntary Union, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training, and in cooperation with the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences affiliated with Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University. The program, which ran from May 6 to 13, 2023, provided training in computer maintenance, basic electrical wiring, first aid, and basic life support (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for healthcare professionals, benefiting 380 individuals.

The program aimed to empower low-income individuals through intensive training in empowerment, economic support, and first aid, with the goal of providing suitable training programs to enable individuals to find sources of income, improve their living standards, and enhance development efforts in countries in need.

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center also concluded a volunteer program at the Zaatari refugee camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan, with the participation of male and female volunteers from various medical, psychological, social, and educational specialties, including Bahraini female volunteers from the Arab Voluntary Union.

During the program, educational services were provided related to environmental sciences, sustainability, energy, English language, information and communication technology, and chemistry, targeting approximately 60 beneficiaries.

Hassan Buhazaa, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, emphasized that the participation of Bahraini female volunteers with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center in such programs is a source of pride, as Bahrain is the only country outside of Saudi Arabia whose volunteers, through the Arab Voluntary Union, participate with the Center in such work.

Buhazaa added that the participation of the Arab Voluntary Union in these programs and initiatives comes within the framework of the volunteer programs organized and participated in by the Union, based on its belief in the importance of volunteer work, which is one of the humanitarian practices associated with all meanings of goodness and giving.  

Buhazaa praised the success of the visits and programs in achieving their objectives in an outstanding manner, commending the fruitful cooperation between the Arab Voluntary Union and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center, which made the participating Bahraini female volunteers feel like an integral part of the Center's team, with greater hospitality and keenness to strengthen relations and work in the spirit of one team.

In a new milestone for the Arab Voluntary Union, Mr. Hassan Buhazaa, President of the Union and Chairman of the Good Word Society, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Arab Council for Youth. This achievement adds to the long list of accomplishments of both the Good Word Society and the Arab Voluntary Union on local, Arab, regional, and global levels.

Chaired by Dr. Issa bin Hassan Al Ansari, President of Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University, the Arab Council for Youth's board includes prominent figures from across the Arab world. Mr. Buhazaa expressed his gratitude for being selected, highlighting the Council's significant role in empowering Arab youth and its alignment with the Arab Voluntary Union's goals.

Buhazaa attributed his appointment to the achievements of the Arab Voluntary Union and the Kingdom of Bahrain's strong reputation in the fields of volunteerism, youth development, and humanitarian work. He emphasized the Kingdom's unwavering support for such initiatives under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.  

The Arab Council for Youth aims to equip Arab youth with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities needed to contribute to their communities and drive positive change. By providing training, research, and networking opportunities, the Council seeks to empower young people and foster a more vibrant and engaged Arab society.

The Arab Voluntary Union, represented by its President, Mr. Hassan Mohamed Buhazaa, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation with The Arab Council for Youth in Saudi Arabia, represented by Dr. Faisal Bin Yusuf Alanezi, the Council’s Secretary-General, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

The President of the Arab Voluntary Union, Mr. Hassan Buhazaa, stated that the MoU aims to strengthen efforts to serve the community, based on the mutual belief of both parties in the importance of creating a suitable environment for this through planned programs and the utilization of financial, technical, and administrative resources.

He noted that The Arab Council for Youth is a significant institution within the framework of joint Arab action, stemming from the League of Arab States, and plays a distinguished role in the fields of volunteer work and development. He expressed his happiness at signing the MoU with the Council.

Buhazaa added that one of the most important objectives of the Arab Voluntary Union is to coordinate and cooperate with institutions working in the field of volunteer work to exchange specialized expertise and contribute to developing volunteer work through qualifying and training Arab individuals in pioneering programs and projects undertaken by Arab organizations to advance the volunteer movement and assist Arab volunteer organizations.

In a new achievement for the Arab Voluntary Union, its volunteers are joining the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center in a visit to the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan in mid-May.

The campaign and the visit program include providing educational services related to environmental sciences, sustainability, energy, English language, information and communication technology, and chemistry, targeting approximately 60 beneficiaries.

The President of the Arab Voluntary Union, Mr. Hassan Buhazaa, stated that the Union is honored to have signed an agreement with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center three years ago, and several projects have been implemented through this agreement in Mauritania and Jordan.

He pointed out that Bahrain, through the Arab Voluntary Union, is the only country outside of Saudi Arabia participating with the King Salman Center in the campaign and program to visit the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, with the participation of Sherifa Hassan Saleh Al-Sbei'i and Sara Mahmoud Saleh Taj Mohammed from the Kingdom of Bahrain as representatives of the Arab Voluntary Union Center.

Buhazaa affirmed that the cooperation and coordination with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center indicates the status of the Arab Voluntary Union and its good reputation, achievements, and distinguished work in the field of relief and humanitarian work.

Buhazaa expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center for their keenness to cooperate and coordinate with the Arab Voluntary Union to serve humanity and develop relief and humanitarian work.

The Arab Voluntary Union aims to provide ministries, authorities, and organizations in Arab countries with specialized expertise in all fields to assist them in their tasks and accomplish their projects and programs. It also aims to contribute to the development of volunteer work by qualifying and training Arab individuals in pioneering programs and projects undertaken by Arab organizations to advance the volunteer movement and assist Arab volunteer organizations in their efforts in their field of specialization, working to coordinate their work and achieve cooperation among volunteer bodies in Arab countries, mobilizing the creative energies of Arab people, and supporting and investing them in what serves comprehensive Arab development, and encouraging Arab countries to establish national bodies or centers for volunteer work and coordinating Arab positions in regional and international conferences and gatherings concerned with volunteer work.