YAL plans to incorporate recommendations and outcomes of Arab Strategy Forum

Hakam Kanafani, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the YAL said, "Heads of states, experts, academics and government officials who took part in the Arab Strategy Forum concluded that developing young leaders is an integral part of any strategy to be followed to face the challenges of the Arab region. This, in fact, was a great push for YAL to continue its efforts to support and mentor young leadership in the Arab world."

He added, "YAL will implement the ASF recommendations through following intensive programmes to train and qualify young leaders. It will also continue to encourage Governments to pay more attention to this rather vital cause."

YAL was an active participant in the Arab Strategy Forum with 55 members attending its workshops and seminars. The members also had the privilege to network with some of the keynote speakers at the forum to discuss the future of young leaders and the roles they ought to play in developing their countries.

Members of YAL met with H.H General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence and Former US President Bill Clinton. Members of YAL discussed the current situations at the international scene and the role of young leaders in solving the conflicts in the Arab world.

Former President Bill Clinton praised the efforts of YAL in improving the region and promised to support the organization and help achieving its sought goals.

Valuable experience
"We had a very valuable experience at Arab Strategy Forum 2004. We interacted with some of the world's best leaders - both from the political and corporate worlds as well as from non-governmental global institutions. Their insight into the management of the Arab world is crucial for us in the formulation of our action plan for 2005," said Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chairman of the YAL Executive Committee.

He said the Young Arab Leaders will analyse what they have learned at the Arab Strategy Forum, adapt it to the needs, aims and objectives of the association, and implement what is critical to the promotion and growth of a base of young leaders in all sphere of activity in the Arab world.

Al Gergawi pointed out that the YAL was provided with an opportunity to hold a dedicated workshop during ASF 2004, during which it benefited from the views and insights of speakers and delegates.

How to revive the glory of the Arab world, how to activate high development rates and how to ensure a young corps of competent and efficient leadership for the future -- were the main themes of the dedicated workshop that was organised on the second day by Young Arab Leaders on the sidelines of the Arab Strategy Forum 2004.

The workshop on 'The Arab World: Between the Realities of Today and the Promises of Tomorrow' discussed the plans for the revival of the region. It outlined prospective opportunities and realities that face the region and put the present and future situation in the Arab world in a global context.

Evaluation of activities
Several major personalities attended the workshop and included HE Dr. Hanan Ashrawi Secretary General of the Palestinian Initiative for Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (Miftah) and Member of the Palestinian Parliament. Insights into the subject were also provided by Dr. Fareed Zakaria, Editor of Newsweek International of the USA and Dr. Ghassan Salameh, professor of International elations, Institutit d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, France and Former Minister of Information of Lebanon.

"What we learned through this workshop and through our interaction with delegates and speakers during the three days of the Arab Strategy Forum, will be analysed. We want to promote transparency and good governance. We will publicise our work plan and what we hope to achieve over the year. We will present for evaluation our annual report at the Arab Strategy Forum," Al Gergawi pointed out.

He also said that Young Arab Leaders got to interact in exclusive session with leaders. "We hosted former US President Bill Clinton for lunch and former Lebanese Premier Rafiq Al Hariri for dinner."

YAL members also met with Naguib Sawaris, Chairman and CEO of Orascom and New York Columnist Thomas Friedman, Dr. Laura Tyson, Dean of the London Business School; Dr. Ghassam Salama, Former Minister of Culture of Lebanon and Maureen Darkes of General Motors. During the meeting, Friedman pointed out that the development of societies depends in the first place on the youth. Like wise, Dr. Salama said that the youth had the power to face challenges and to make the required change in their societies.

YAL aims at widening its membership base to include 500 members below the age of 45 who are selected from various countries in the Arab world. These will be those who are known for their leadership skills and wise management of resources in order to build a better future for the region.