- Federal Youth Authority launches 'Youth Social Missions Programme', enabling Emirati youth (ages 21–35) to join UAE-led humanitarian, development, and cultural missions worldwide.
- Initiative aims to build global-ready leaders, promoting volunteerism, soft power, and support for SDGs through hands-on training, international fieldwork, and cultural exchange.
- Participants earn ‘Humanitarian Work Ambassador’ status, receive global certifications, and gain skills in leadership, crisis response, and intercultural collaboration.
The Federal Youth Authority (FYA) has introduced the 'Youth Social Missions Programme' to empower Emirati youth for engagement in UAE-led social missions across the globe. These are humanitarian, development, and cultural missions, and seek to build expert national cadres via training programmes that enhance social responsibility among UAE youth. The programme falls under the 'Society and Values' pillar of the UAE Youth National Agenda 2031, demonstrating the nation's dedication to international volunteerism and sustainable development.
Deployed from Japan, the program aims to Empower Emirati youth to represent the country in priority missions; Instill a culture of volunteerism and community responsibility, consistent with the UAE's fundamental values, Offer specialized skills through quality training to enable active and effective field presence, Augment global crisis response and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Enhance cultural exchange and the UAE's positive soft power worldwide through vibrant youth engagement.
Khaled Al Nuaimi, Director of the Federal Youth Authority, stressed the UAE's historic commitment to causes of humanity, driven by the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who imbued UAE nationals with the spirit of generosity and solidarity during adversity. The UAE has emerged as one of the most influential nations in the world in terms of giving aid through medical, food, and development initiatives across the globe.
Al Nuaimi said that the programme launch is a new milestone in enhancing the UAE's central contribution to volunteer and humanitarian work. Engaging youths in these altruistic efforts enhances their role as an international force for good and complements the goals of the Youth National Agenda 2031 establishing a generation that represents Emirati values and that serves as actual ambassadors of relief work, confronting humanitarian and social issues with resilience and hope.
The 'Youth Social Missions Programme' works to facilitate youth involvement in:
- Humanitarian Missions: Providing emergency relief in disaster areas, such as food relief, medical aid, psychological counseling, and relief work.
- Developmental Missions: Conducting sustainable activities like constructing schools, education support, livelihood improvement, and carrying out environmental activities like reforestation, beach clean-up, and combating climate change.
- Cultural Missions: Facilitating cultural exchange and the presentation of the Emirati identity by way of educational activities, initiatives, and programs that promote intercultural dialogue and understanding.
Within the next five years, the programme will seek to train young Emiratis between the ages of 21 and 35 who are interested in humanitarian work and keen to promote values of solidarity and community responsibility. It hopes to increase awareness, assist needy communities, and engage youth in global relief missions.
Participants will learn: An awareness of global issues and humanitarian needs; Tolerance and international cooperation skills; Chances to improve communication, leadership, and time management skills; Self-confidence and flexibility, which will make them more effective in a variety of challenging and diverse environments and The power to generate positive social change through development projects and advocacy for humanitarian purposes.
Major benefits of the programme are: The honorary status of 'Humanitarian Work Ambassadors' Possibilities to produce media content recording their experience; Establishing partnerships with international community and humanitarian organizations; Earning official certifications from recognized institutions; and Genuine possibilities of field involvement organized together with partner institutions.
The program includes: Field visits, expert discussions, hands-on training, studies, and research; Active preparation for participation in international missions; New opportunities in relief and volunteer work, Organizing global forums in honor of Emirati youth humanitarian activities, and Participation in national and regional field activities to assist communities in emergency situations.
