Qiyada, a youth engagement and leadership initiative launched by Qatar Foundation (QF), plans to extend its activities beyond its annual conference to foster ongoing development and community-building among young leaders, an official said. The initiative aims to move past the traditional two-day event model by delivering a series of additional programs throughout the year.

“The conference was intended to serve as the starting point of a longer journey rather than a standalone two-day event,” said Sulaiman T Bah, Wellness and Spiritual Life Lead at QF Higher Education. He outlined plans to introduce extra workshops, a leadership incubator, and mentorship opportunities designed to support young participants in continuous leadership development.

The latest two-day Qiyada conference concluded yesterday at Multaqa (The Student Centre) in Education City. Bah emphasized that leadership and personal growth are gradual processes, underscoring the initiative’s goal to maintain consistent engagement with participants while helping them form a collaborative community capable of addressing generational challenges.

Following the conference, Qiyada intends to host workshops and launch a leadership incubator program, which will connect selected attendees with experienced mentors. These efforts are aimed at nurturing a cohort of young leaders over the coming year and strengthening their networks before the next annual meeting.

Feedback collected from last year’s participants has been used to inform the current program, highlighting the organizers’ focus on responding directly to the concerns and interests of young people. The initiative primarily targets individuals aged 17 to 24, a stage Bah described as crucial for identity formation and decision-making regarding education, careers, and future aspirations.

“The initiative seeks to provide participants with opportunities to learn practical frameworks, ask questions, engage with peers, and develop the confidence to contribute positively to their communities,” Bah said.

While the current focus is on young people in Qatar, Qiyada’s longer-term vision includes broadening its reach to participants across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and eventually attracting youth from around the world. “We wanted the first year or two to focus on the youth here in Qatar,” Bah noted, observing that many of the challenges faced locally are reflected regionally.

The program also anticipates a larger role for youth in organizing and presenting at future conferences. The goal is to evolve toward an approach that is increasingly “by youth” as well as “for youth,” giving participants more opportunities to share their projects and initiatives publicly.

This year’s conference theme, Guided by Faith, Thriving in a Changing World, addressed a range of issues affecting young people, including the impact of artificial intelligence, technology, mental health, economic pressures, geopolitical developments, and spiritual concerns. The event featured keynote speeches, fireside chats, and workshops designed to offer both inspiration and practical guidance.

The post-conference activities aim to build on these discussions by maintaining connections among participants, mentors, and peers, fostering continuous learning, and encouraging collaboration throughout the year. “We want to keep on engaging them so that we are frequently meeting and building a community,” Bah said.