Sharjah Tatweer Forum highlights Sharjah's competitive development

Sharjah Tatweer Forum (Tatweer), Sharjah's ambitious initiative for building UAE Nationals' skills, fostering partnerships between private and public sectors and promoting development.

The event was held under the patronage of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, and Honorary Chairman of Sharjah Tatweer Forum; who himself decreed the formation of the Forum.

The ceremony highlighted the growth in membership to 240 members; unveiled expansion plans and fresh initiatives such as, a planned headquarters for the Forum, a student exchange program and an upcoming NGOs conference and exhibition to take place later this year in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs.

"Sharjah Tatweer Forum has achieved a lot after only three years of establishment, due greatly to the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qassimi Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah.

Many of Sharjah's youths have already joined Tatweer's prestigious leadership programs, with several more showing growing interest in initiatives to enhance their participation in local and national progress.

Sharjah Tatweer Forum has also influenced greater cooperation between Sharjah's government and the private sector; the Forum has indeed emerged as a catalyst for the emirate's socioeconomic growth," said Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Chairman of Sharjah Tatweer Forum..

Tatweer's major achievements during the past years include the launch of two pioneering programs, namely, the Tatweer Leadership Programme, a leadership initiative based on international best practices and similar programs which will begin its third cycle in September 2008; and the Public Private Partnership, a program promoting public and private sector partnership in developing Sharjah's socioeconomic conditions in line with H.H. Dr. Al Qassimi's vision. The Public Private Partnership program is currently being handled by the Institute for Public Private Partnerships.

In November 2007, Sharjah Tatweer Forum also organised a major Knowledge Conference titled "Life Sciences: Trends and Opportunities" which included Juan Enriquez from the Harvard University Life Sciences Project; H.E. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; and Sheikh Tareq Bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Emirates Investment Group Chairman; as guest speakers.

The Forum's latest accomplishments include new strategic Memorandums of Understanding with Sharjah Municipality, The Higher Colleges of Technology, Shell International, and Emirates Foundation during the first quarter of 2008; the launch of its pioneering Tatweer Professional Development Center in April 2008; and the inclusion of five of its members as trainers for the "Bright Ideas," workshop which aims at training and mentoring young nationals on starting a business, held in cooperation with Shell and Emirates Foundation's Tawteen Program.

With regards to its future plans, Sharjah Tatweer Forum aims at enhancing its international alliances in support of youth projects, developing national leaders and augmenting the competitiveness of Sharjah and government excellence. STF also plans on concentrating on launching a number of projects that support Sharjah's competitiveness and developing young leaders as well as expanding it own management team.

During the event, His Highness the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah handed out certificates of achievement to the participants of Tatweer's Second Leadership Program as well as recognized participants in both the first and second Public Private Partnership Program.

STF also paid tribute to its sponsors and a number of organizations that have provided support and facilitations over the past three years. Also recognized were Sharjah Tatweer Forum's founding members and its most dynamic members. Sharjah Tatweer Forum also presented an honorary membership to his Crown Prince.