HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation (QF), outlined their efforts in providing opportunities for young people through education during the United Nations (UN) Youth Dialogue Conference held at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Sheikha Hind delivered an opening address during the UN Youth Dialogue, which was held under the theme ‘Approaches to Education, Employment and Prevention of Radicalisation Leading to Violent Extremism’. She said that they see young people as the driving force of meaningful change and agents of constructive social transformation.

We believe that young people need not only be schooled, but to receive a quality, holistic education that prepares them for success in a global environment, with challenges as diverse as the cultures that inhabit it. Through our unique model, built on international partnerships and cross-disciplinary learning, we strive to create a unique education eco-system that inspires young people to think creatively, challenge their assumptions and pursue new ideas.’

The UN Youth Dialogue, convened by the UN General Assembly President, HE Miroslav Lajčák, brought together educators, thought leaders, and young people to explore ‘the future of work’, and the ‘prevention of radicalisation and violent extremism’.

Following the UN Youth Dialogue, Sheikha Hind also held a meeting with UN Deputy Secretary General Amina J Mohammed. Earlier in the day, she attended the UN Group of Friends on Global Citizenship Education (GCED) meeting where she briefed attendees on the work being carried out by QF and Qatar related to ‘Global Citizenship for Education’.

GCED was formed in 2017 as part of a joint initiative between the ambassadors of Qatar and Korea to the UN,  to help realise a more peaceful, tolerant, and inclusive society, while promoting the UN objectives of peace, sustainable development, and human rights. Sheikha Hind’s trip to the United States forms part of QF’s mission to promote knowledge exchange, expand its outreach, and explore collaborations to develop innovative education strategies.

For more information about Qatar Foundation, visit their website at qf.org.qa.