Youth City 2030 was launched at Princess Jawhara bint Ibrahim Al Ibrahim’s Centre in Salmaniya.  The project is organised by the Youth Administration at the General Organisation for Youth (GOYS) in cooperation with TAMKEEN and Bahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB).

Attending the event were His Excellency the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Tamkeen’s Chairman Dr. Nezar bin Sadiq Al-Baharna, Executives, media, and various youth groups.

The fruit of a real partnership between the three governmental stakeholders, Youth City 2030 is mandated with the mission of “preparing the Bahraini Youth for a prosperous and bright future to help the country be among the elite of nations” and is decreed to comprise 14 youth villages addressing  all scientific, educational, training and vocational issues with the aim of empowering the youth and exposing them to bigger horizons for contributing, through  active involvement in the various sectors of their society, to the development of their country and bringing to it a prestigious position among the elite of countries in the world.

The launch ceremonies took place at Al-Jawhara Hall under patronage of GOYS’ President His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, His Excellency State Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of TAMKEEN’s Board of Director Dr. Nezar bin Sadeq Al Baharna.  The event started with the national anthem followed by recital from the Holy Quran.  Youth City 2030 was then declared launched and a demonstrative clip was presented showing the goals and the main features of the project.  The celebrations included a national artistic folkloric performance under the title “Today’s Dream” followed by an operetta that was marked with a highly delicate eloquent speech and garnered audience’s admiration.

Marking this event, His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa  stressed the significance of Youth City 2030 as a joint enterprise which gathered “concerted efforts to come up with a momentous project that would fulfill our aspirations and make the 2030 vision a reality exactly as it is envisaged.”  He also capitalised on the youth involvement in the various activities and programmes calling it “the first step on the road of inclusion of a youthful generation sensetised on those programmes that aim at enabling every young man and woman to achieve their own goals and aspirations to eventually become active players in forging the desired future of the country.”

His Excellency commended every effort exerted by all stakeholders for making Youth City 2030 a success wishing it achieve its goals by serving all people and providing for the youth villages where they can spend their time fruitfully.”

On TAMKEEN’s participation in the project, Tamkeen’s Chairman His Excellency Dr. Nezar bin Sadiq Al Baharna said “TAMKEEN funded and participated in this ambitious project in line with our Strategic goals for the years 2010-2014, that attach special priority to the youngsters and the youth through its internal programmes and ongoing funding and patronising of various joint projects in pursuance of an environment that is efficient and effective in creating a distinguished Bahraini generation equipped with the knowledge, skills, capabilities and experience required for an effective entry to the local  labour market.”

He expressed hopes and confidence in the future offerings that Youth City 2030 will have for the Bahraini youth through “programmes and activities that instill (in the youth) a self-sense of responsibility and provide necessary elements of success in facing up the challenges with confidence and determination…… TAMKEEN has in this regard expanded its contributions in supporting various programmes, projects and youth activities in cooperation with ministries, governmental and private institutions and civil society organisations.”

“Thanking all our partners for this achievement, which we pride ourselves on, we are looking forward to more cooperation and networking for setting up more programmes and activities intended for the empowerment of the Bahraini youth in line with national interest and in pursuance of the wise political guidance from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Deputy Supreme Commander and EDB Chairman.”

The project was also applauded by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad ibn Isa Al Khalifah, EDB’s Chief Executive Officer, saying “the great deal of attention EDB gives to the youth accounts for the vital role of this segment in the society.  We are holding hopes for them to turn the goals of our economic vision for the year 2030 into tangible reality.”

“The care we attach to the youth of our nation springs from a keenness on the part of His Royal Highness, the Regent to encourage innovation among the youth, which prompted the EDB to bring this goal to the fore on the list of goals sought to be achieved with the aim of encouraging contribution by this important segment of the society to the building and elevation of their country, the Kingdom of Bahrain.  We are looking forward to more concerted efforts in the Kingdom to make these programmes continuously held throughout the year and on an annual basis  to ensure maximum involvement of the youth.”

One of the biggest summer projects  GOYS provides in cooperation with TAMKEEN and EDB, Youth City 2030 is expected to attract around 800 young men and women through its various programmes including: the Entrepreneurs’ Programme,  the Master Studio, the Computer, the Astronomy Village, Global English, Human Body, Cartoons, Microtonics, the Professional, the 3rd Style, the Entertainment City, the Innovation Station and the A-Step-in-Your-Life Village.   The project comprises a total of 14 villages, each of which aims at refurbishing the talents of the youth, and empowering and introducing them to the principles of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.