The Strategic Foresight Forum convened in Doha on Monday, assembling officials, experts, and youth representatives from member states to enhance leadership, strategic thinking, and innovation among young people. The three-day event, scheduled to run through October 14, is organized by Qatar’s Ministry of Sports and Youth in partnership with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the Arab Youth Council.
The forum aims to equip youth with tools to anticipate future challenges, adapt to rapidly evolving environments, and actively influence future developments. At the opening session, Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Harmi, Assistant Undersecretary for Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, highlighted the critical role of investing in Arab youth by providing them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to navigate shifts in education and labor markets. Al-Harmi emphasized that young people should be considered active partners in policy formation and innovation rather than mere beneficiaries.
In conjunction with the forum, al-Harmi announced the launch of the Qatar Youth Council, a new initiative designed to translate the forum’s objectives into practical programs that empower young people and promote their engagement in future-oriented planning. He described the event as a platform to foster collaboration among youth, experts, and policymakers from diverse countries, aiming to share knowledge, build capacities, and reinforce cooperation among educational and youth institutions. He further noted that the forum’s success would ultimately be gauged by tangible initiatives and partnerships stemming from its discussions.
Dr. Salim al-Malik, director-general of ICESCO, underscored the significance of investing broadly in youth by expanding educational and training opportunities to help them convert aspirations into tangible achievements. He pointed out that the global population aged 15 to 24 surpasses 1.3 billion, with over 110 million young people residing in the Arab region, highlighting the urgent need to increase access to quality education and meaningful youth participation in development processes.
Dr. Issa bin Hassan al-Ansari, president of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, stressed that ongoing global transformations necessitate urgent reforms in education systems. He argued that traditional knowledge and skills gained through general and higher education may no longer suffice to meet emerging challenges, particularly as technologies like artificial intelligence reshape education, employment, and economies. According to al-Ansari, preparing youth for a swiftly changing world entails fostering continuous learning and developing new competencies beyond formal education.
Salem al-Mansouri, adviser to the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, reiterated the importance of future-oriented youth investment to support sustainable development. He highlighted the need to anticipate changes in education, employment, and knowledge production while preparing youth to respond effectively to evolving demands. Al-Mansouri emphasized that youth development remains a national priority for Qatar, aligning with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and broader national strategies focused on developing human capital and nurturing a skilled workforce capable of adapting to change and contributing to a knowledge-based economy.