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Crucible of cultures
The 3rd Muscat Youth Summit
showcased Oman’s stance on youth entrepreneurship, urban
development innovation and creativity. Mayank Singh reports
The third Muscat Youth Summit (MYS) was held at the Millennium
Resort in Al Musannah from December 4 to 7, 2011. Over 200 young
people aged 15 – 24 drawn from 21 countries participated in this
international residential programme organised by the Brand Oman
Management Unit (BOMU). Over the course of the four days, 36
presenters delivered 18 workshops on topics that included social
entrepreneurship, hybrid cities, urban sustainability, street
photography, DIY publishing, graffiti art and social media.
Besides Oman, the summit’s participants came from countries such
as Belarus, Turkey, Australia, Sweden, Germany, France, the
United States, Great Britain, Tunisia, Singapore, Yemen, Iraq,
Lebanon, Syria, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Malaysia,
and Brazil.
“MYS intends to help young people find new opportunities in life
with a particular emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation,
creativity and urban development. It’s been designed to
strengthen youth-related policies, help government organisations
and the private sector address youth concerns and support new
information and learning channels for young people. Moreover,
MYS blends social interaction with cultural, economic and
entrepreneurial components to create an experience that promotes
cross-cultural youth dialogue and socially responsible
leadership. It’s an outstanding and rewarding four days for
everyone involved,” remarked HH Sayyid Faisal Al Said, COO, BOMU.
As a nation, Oman actively encourages and welcomes innovators,
talent and ideas that add value to the country and increases its
national competitiveness and it’s this philosophy that’s at the
heart of MYS. The endeavours of the Sultanates youth in
enterprise, their energy, enthusiasm and success presents a
wonderful image of Oman to the world and is a key part of BOMU
branding efforts.
“We’re very excited about this year’s Summit as we’ve attracted
some really outstanding international and domestic workshop
presenters. And through the 18 workshops we’re looking to
promote citizenship and community participation; develop skills,
aspirations and talents in order to increase employability;
nurture young leaders and provide them with opportunities to
develop entrepreneurial and creative skills; and of course
increase cultural awareness, diversity and understanding. On
reflection, I don’t think there’s an event quite like MYS
anywhere in the Gulf. It’s an outstanding advertisement for
Oman,” HH Sayyid Faisal added.
Engaging young minds
Floor Lieshout, director, Youth for Road Safety (YOURs) and a
presenter says, “Our aim is to give young people an
understanding of the risk and the importance of road safety.
Every year 400,000 young people under the age of 25 years die in
road accidents and the youth needs to be a part of the solution.
Research shows that young people retain only 10 per cent of what
they read about such issues after two weeks, so we take a more
interactive approach giving them an overview of issues like the
importance of wearing seat belts, avoiding over speeding and
distracted driving.”
Speaking about his presentation on Sustainable Cities, Peter
Oborn, deputy chairman, Aedas Architects, says “Our presentation
to the students focuses on the importance of creating
sustainable cities. These are cities which are in harmony with
itself and where one can live, work, play and prosper. In
addition one can look after the needs of the future generation.
The challenge for cities world over is to moderate themselves.
As young people are the decision makers of tomorrow, it is
important that they are aware of this important issue.”
In the same vein Maryam Hamad al-Sharji, architect, head of
design, Ministry of Housing, Oman says, “We are trying to
acquaint youngsters with the concept of hybrid cities involving
its various components. Though this is an abstract concept, we
were impressed by how students were able to understand the
various nuances of the concept in a short time.”
A wide canvas
Says Sarah White, arts advisor and general manager, Bait Al
Zubair Foundation, “My presentation is titled – ‘Art and the
artists response to the environment’. I am analysing my own
works, especially those from my school days, so that I can show
the students how the environment has affected my work and the
feelings that I want to project in my work. The idea is to get
them to start thinking about different types of environments
like architectural, global, landscape based or personal
environments, and the message that they want to project through
their art work.”
Radhika A Hamlai, an artist says, “This is the first time that I
am here and it is very interesting. I was very impressed by the
way the MYS blends in different cultures and gives students a
chance to do something that they have not done before.”
Carlos Chirinos from SOAS Radio says, “Our workshop aims to
produce short radio programmes addressing the UN’s Millennium
Development Goals like eradication of hunger and poverty, gender
equality, maternal health, combating malaria and so on. Today
the 18-24 year generation is the same world over because of
global connectivity and our effort is to make them think about
what will be beneficial to them and the developing world.”
While pointing out that MYS receives high-level local and global
support, HH Sayyid Faisal thanked the Sultanate’s Ministry of
Education, Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and
Science, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNPA and UNESCO. “Not only
for their important support of MYS, but also for the shining
example these organisations continue to set to the wider
community, through their practical and positive commitment to
the wellbeing of Oman’s youth,” he said.
Ali Kamal Khadra a grade 11 student participating in the MYS
says, “The MYS is a great experience for all of us. It is very
well organised. The atmosphere is really nice and one gets to
meet students from different countries. Every day we work on a
different topic and it is all about team work. We have learnt a
lot here.”
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