Young Arab Leaders Annual Forum to be held in Beirut

Titled 'Creating Impact Within and Beyond: the Way Forward', the forum will tackle topics pertaining to the current situation of Arab youth and the prerequisites for tomorrow's empowerment and future development.

Distinguished speakers and panels will address Arab youth demographics and the talent bonanza, the Arab MTV generation and the desired change, entrepreneurship as the vessel of the future, Arab youth skills, knowledge and employability, and developing leadership potential in the Arab world.

Speaking ahead of the Forum, H.E. Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Chairman, YAL said, "We would like to thank the President of the Republic of Lebanon General Michel Sleiman for the patronage of the YAL Annual Forum. The event is very significant for the organization as we announce the new strategy and lay out the action plan for the future. In today's critical environment where across the world, corporations and countries are rethinking the way business is done, our role gains greater importance as we aim to have an impact on the labour market through our concerted programs and initiatives targeting the future of our region - the Arab youth."

The Forum will be held at Grand Habtoor Hotel - Beirut, and is supported by a an array of companies involved in varied industries and activities, including DIFC and TATWEER as strategic partners, Philips, Future Pipe Industries and BankMed as Forum sponsors, Zaya as luncheon sponsor, Bank of Beirut as opening dinner sponsor and FFA Private Bank as supporting sponsor.

Commenting on the Forum, Assem O. Kabesh, Chief Executive Officer, YAL said, "The diversity of our high-profile sponsors testifies to the quantity and quality of support YAL's mission enjoys among the business community. As an NGO that serves a noble Arab youth cause, we rely on businesses support, to drive our strategies and objectives. At YAL, we consider sponsors as our partners and seek to involve them with our future planning and operations. Also, we make sure that this partnership is mutually beneficial."

"We, at YAL Chapter in Lebanon, have the honour to host this landmark YAL Forum and we're sure that everyone in our Country operations shares this honour with us. We are mobilized to live up to the trust and expectations of our Organization and we will spare no time or effort to make this Forum a major turning point in YAL history," said Emile Khoury, Chairman, YAL Lebanon Country Office.

The Forum will be structured into several sessions that will debate issues relevant to the key areas under YAL's scope of activity - education, employment opportunities for Arab youth, leadership skills development and entrepreneurship. The plenary session will explore the main drivers and inhibitors for youth development.

The session will be a triangular debate between speakers, YAL members and Arab youth. Other interactive sessions will discuss the employability of Arab youth and their capability to create change in the Arab world as well as ways to develop the leadership and entrepreneurship potential of young Arabs.