A Busy Week of Events and Workshops in the Young Arab Media Leadership Program
Abu Dhabi, September 17 - The first week of the fifth edition of the Young Arab Media Leadership Program, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Diab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Arab Youth Center, witnessed a plethora of events and interactive workshops at the Dubai Press Club and Dubai Creative Center in collaboration with CNN Academy, the New Media Academy, and the Dubai Media Foundation.
Field visits were organized to Sharjah Media City (Shams) and the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, as part of the International Government Communication Forum in Sharjah.
The program boasts the participation of 51 young individuals from 18 Arab countries, representing promising talents across various media disciplines and content creation.
Her Excellency Shama bint Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Community Development and Deputy President of the Arab Youth Center, highlighted the significance of youth as creators of "soft power" and their capacity to present a positive image of Arab values to the world by acquiring professional skills to develop purposeful content that serves their communities.
She added, "In this edition, we have built upon the successes of previous iterations by expanding the program's partner base and introducing new technical and practical skills based on recommendations from media training experts. These enhancements emphasize human values, cultural identity, and language while preparing the youth to address climate change, the green economy, and sustainability."
Her Excellency continued, "The Arab Youth Center has benefited from the international and regional media presence of major institutions and agencies, along with national institutions that align with the UAE's vision for investing in young creative talents. These institutions have opened their doors to transfer knowledge, experience, and expertise."
Experts from the New Media Academy conducted three workshops at the Dubai Press Club, focusing on artificial intelligence, its key tools and applications, and how it can be leveraged in content creation and enhancing creative media work. Participants were introduced to new podcast programs.
During practical exercises, participants collaborated to create creative content using "ChatGPT," showcasing their skills in producing short creative content. They also explored the post-production phase using artificial intelligence tools, producing high-quality podcasts using specialized software.
The program organized a visit for its members to Shams, where they learned about the city's latest practices and services in three diverse sessions. The first session featured Dr. Khaled Omar Al Midfa, Chairman of Shams, while the second explored "Youth and Social Media" with media sector development consultant Fajr Qasim Ali. The third session, titled "Media and Artificial Intelligence," was hosted by Abdullah Al Shrah.
The fifth edition's participants visited the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority and gained insights into television and radio operations in various departments, meeting program hosts and news presenters, and observing how news bulletins are prepared and broadcast.
Members of the program participated in the International Government Communication Forum in Sharjah through the "Our Youth, Our Wealth" platform, engaging with experts in government communication at the local, regional, and international levels. They learned about the latest practices in media and government communication in the region.
The Arab Youth Center, in collaboration with CNN, held two lectures for program participants. The lectures emphasized the importance of using narrative storytelling in news reporting to convey facts professionally to the public. Participants were encouraged to focus on youth issues and the challenges faced by Arab communities. The lectures also emphasized the significance of citizen journalism, stressing the need for media outlets and content creators to cover topics that matter to the public.
The CNN team stressed the importance of using media and journalism to raise awareness about environmental and climate-related issues, and how to prepare and present environmental stories to the public in an innovative and contemporary way, aiming to increase societal awareness of these critical issues.
Mona Bou Samra, Editor-in-Chief of the UAE Today newspaper, delivered a lecture on her experience in media work, titled "Media and Youth: Skills and Values." She discussed how the UAE's leadership has empowered the youth and placed them in various leadership positions, urging Arab youth to work diligently in the face of technological and digital advancements.
She spoke about concepts of integrity, freedom, justice, and their positive impact on journalism. She highlighted the importance of connecting these principles with ambition in work. At the end of her lecture, Bou Samra answered participants' questions and provided practical advice, especially for female media professionals, urging them to face all challenges, equip themselves with knowledge and technology, and maintain a strong sense of patriotism, as the youth represent their countries on a global stage.
The Dubai Press Club hosted a workshop on how to build a professional LinkedIn profile, emphasizing the platform's strength and professionalism. The workshop included strategies for enhancing personal profiles, building professional networks, and increasing engagement.
The program also featured a workshop on film production supported by Nikon, titled "Young Arab Leaders." The workshop provided an overview of Nikon, its latest releases catering to various sectors, and showcased camera models and their new features. Participants received training in photography, covering both photography and videography.
The program will continue until September 28, with the Young Media Leadership team participating in various regional events and forums in the UAE, including the Arab Media Forum in Dubai. They will also engage in workshops and field visits to Arab and international media institutions in the UAE, meeting with leaders and decision-makers in various media and communication fields, with the goal of learning from experts representing different Arab countries and media disciplines.
The Arab Youth Center's program aims to enhance the skills of young leaders in purposeful and influential media work, preparing them to become talented media professionals who contribute to strengthening the connection between youth, Arabic identity, and language. It empowers them to play a real role in bringing about positive change in their communities on various crucial issues.