Country Report United Arab Emirates 2005

Presented at the Tokyo Conference for the ExParticipating Youth of SWY Program

February-22-2006 By Adnan Khoory

The Ship for World Youth Alumni Association of United Arab Emirates

The UAE has been invited to participate in the (SWY) program by the Japanese Government for many years. 77 UAE youth have had the honor in participating in this program, and sharing their culture with other countries from all over the world. The UAE AA has been active in the past years with putting together the Global Youth reunion. Many things have improved since the first reunion.

SWYAA-UAE structure: Key person:

Ahmed Al Khaja (SWY14)

Assistant Key person:

Affan Al-Khoori

Assistant Key person:

Abdul Rahman Al Marzouqi (SWY16)

(SWY14)

Members All UAE (Ex-PY) are considered as members, and are communicated to on this basis. The Ship for World Youth Alumni Association of the United Arab Emirates (SWYAA-UAE) has active members which are setting multi plans in 2006 for the non active members.

1. AA's activities A.

(4th) UAE Global Youth Reunion in 2003 2

a) Organizers A team of four (X-PY) have successfully organized UAE Global Youth Reunion. They were hea1ded by Shaker Al-Zainal (SWY10) as the event manager, Ahmed AlShakh (SWY10)as the assistant and financial administrator, Saead Al Awash (SWY10) as the transportation administrator, and Mohamed Ismail (SWY8) as the Media coordinator. (UAE X-PY) and non-(X-PY) volunteers were accepted to organize this event. This was due to work commitment that other (UAE X-PY) have. The rest of the Organizing committee is included nine non-(Ex-PY) volunteers. b) Duration This event took place for a period of one week. (25th - 31st January 2003 ) c) Location The UAE 4th Global reunion took place in the city of Dubai. free accommodation for all the participants was arranged in “Al Bustan Center and Residence” located near Dubai International Airport. Two bedroom furnished apartments were rented for this period. Each apartment was occupied on average by four Reunion participants. d) Participants The UAE 4th Global reunion had a large number of participants from different countries. The participants applications were received from (SWY X-PY), UN, and other youth organizations. This is due to the 2003 Global Reunion was part of the Dubai Shopping Festival official activities. e) Activity don during the reunion • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Visit to Emaar Projects in Dubai. Visit to Dubai Police headquarters. Group discussions Trip to Sharjah City. Visit to Emirates training college. Rashid Pediatric Therapy Center. Safari/Desert Trip & barbecue dinner Trip to Abu Dhabi City. Visit to Fish & Vegetables markets. Visit to Heritage & Diving Village. Visit to Global Village. Visit to Creek cruise.

And many of the Shopping festival's activities.

f) Participation fee The 2003 Global Reunion was a free-of-charge event to all the participants. All that the participant was required to pay was the airline ticket to Dubai. All 3

participants were advised to use Emirates Airline for their journey to Dubai, so that they can benefit from the special fare that was provided for this reunion. g) Sponsor This reunion was mainly sponsored by the Ministry of Interior. This was aliened with the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) and its activities under the same Motto (One World One Family One Festival).

B.

21st Century Renaissance Youth Leaders Invitation Program 2003 -

C.

The 2003 Renaissance was attended by Ahmed Al Khaja from (SWY14), Mohamed Saeed Al Yamahi (SWY10), and Mohamed Ali (SWY8).

Restructure in 2006

2006 should have a big impact in the UAEAA, a more advanced structure should be implemented in the second quarter of the year. This will enhance more communication, generate energy within the group, set new goals, organize more reunions, visits to the regional AA (Bahrain, Egypt, India, Srilanka).

2. Relationship between your AA and Japanese Embassy The AA keeps contact with the Embassy through sending invitations to events held locally. As well, the Embassy invites (Ex-PY) to some of their events.

3. Relationship between your AA and your government The coordination between the AA and the Ministry of youth are in a very positive side, plans are there to establish a self entity for the AA in the UAE. This will raise funds for the association to be more active in the community and to have a better planning for the future -

Data Collection in 2006

The data is very well managed and it’s always upto date. We have annual update on the data to keep everyone the right track, and to make sure the information is very transparent to all AA members.

4. internet/e-mails within the AA http://uaereunion.8m.com/index.htm The new mailing list that was made [email protected] has been a good success for the AA . More non active members are in hand, gatherings are being set, ideas are being shared. The flow of information is going very good and most members are willing to work with each other.

5. to disseminate information related to SWY and SWYAA 2006 and 2007 plans are to have regional meetings and reunions. The concept of merging the regional AA’s is one of the plans ahead of us. This will assist in a better flow of information and participation in the regional events including relief works.

6. The AA preparation for the new (PY) 4

SELECTION PROCESS OF SWY DELEGATIONS Currently the selection procedure is being handled by the Ministry of Youth. This is where the ministry goes through a process of advertising, interviewing and approving candidates for this program. The AA gave some recommendations for candidate selection. At the moment we are preparing for a negotiation with the Ministry of Youth to find a role for the SWYAA-UAE in the selection procedure and the preparation of the new candidates. SWY18 (NL) was briefed on the program by Key Person and some (UAE X-PY). They had regular meetings to prepare themselves. Ahmed AlKhaja and Affan Al Khoori(SWY14), gave them a presentation during one of their meetings and attended couple of them as well. They played the roll of the observer and were giving suggestions as they were preparing. The SWYAA-UAE would like to express their sincere gratitude to the government of Japan and IYEO for all that they have done. Special thanks go to Ms. Tamae Saito for her understanding and support.

His Hines Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Mectoum conversing with the 2003 Reunion members

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