Minister of Sports and Youth H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali with other dignitaries during a Najah Qatar event at QNCC, yesterday.
The Ministry of Sports and Youth yesterday presented a draft of the First National Youth Policy of Qatar for discussion seeking views of youths at Najah Qatar at Qatar National Convention Center.
The policy, a document outlining the general policy for youth addressing their issues and ambitions following Qatar National Vision 2030, is expected to see the light of the day soon as it is all set to be tabled for approval.
The draft policy includes six key issues related to youth such as ‘youth and education, research and innovation’, ‘youth and means of communication and information and technology’, ‘active and full participation of youth’, ‘youth and environment’, ‘health of youth’, ‘youth and social issues’.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the event, Director of Planning and Quality Maha Esa Al Rumaihi at Ministry of Sports and Youth said that the committee for drafting the policy is now conducting a study to adopt the draft National Youth Policy internally.
“As soon as the draft policy is approved by the Minister of Sports and Youth it will be sent to the State Cabinet for approval,” said Al Rumaihi.
She said that the policy is very important in supporting Qatar to secure higher place in Global Youth Development Index.
“Now we are among first 34 countries which witnessed highest youth development in the world. The policy is required international level more than national level,” said Al Rumaihi.
She said that through the policy the Ministry aims to exercise best international practices following international and national references. “The national references include Permanent Constitution of Qatar, first and second National Strategies and QNV 2030.”
She said that the work on drafting the policy began one and a half years ago. “Now we reached to an advanced stage passing through questionnaires and survey. So far, over 5,000 youth participated in the survey seeking their opinions on the draft policy and their priorities in this regard.”
She said that over 3,000 youth responded to questionnaires based on seven main points. “To ensure the accuracy of the survey face-to-face interviews were also conducted with 1,000 youths from different parts of the country,” said Al Rumaihi.
The event also included a panel discussion on the draft policy attended by officials from the Ministry of Sports and Youth including Director of Planning and Quality Maha Esa Al Rumaihi, a expert for policies Mostafa Kharofi, a expert for youth studies Wadha Salim Al Wasmi, a researcher for licensing of youth centers Ahmad Khlid Al Ansari. A journalist Ahmad Al Maliki moderated the panel discussion.
Results of a survey conducted by the Ministry seeking views of youths on the draft of the policy were also unveiled at the event. Responding to a question of the survey whether they worry about finding a suitable educational opportunities, 54 percent youth viewed they do not, 30 percent responded said yes, only 16 percent youth said they do not know.
To a question about their interest to continue their educational journey, a big majority 76 percent respondents said yes, 18 percent may be and only 6 percent youth said no.
