Knowledge Youth Forum in Cairo… Empowering minds to create a sustainable future
Knowledge Youth Forum in Cairo… Empowering minds to create a sustainable future
In the heart of Egypt, and within the walls of the ancient Cairo University, the fourth edition of the “Knowledge Youth Forum” was launched under the slogan that reflects the spirit of the times: “Knowledge Economyand Human Development.” This event, which came under the generous patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, carried a clear message of hope that the future of a nation begins with the minds of its youth.
The opening ceremony witnessed a high-level attendance, which included an elite group of Egyptian and Arab ministers and officials, including Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, and Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno, Minister of Culture. The forum also enjoyed prominent international participation, led by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme, which gave the event a regional and global character that reflects its growing position on the map of knowledge events.
The knowledge economy is Egypt’s strategic bet towards the future
In his speech, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi stressed that Egypt’s hosting of this edition reflects the state’s commitment to real investment in people, as they are the foundation of any successful development process. The knowledge economy – according to his description – has become an urgent necessity, and it is the basic foundation for building cohesive societies and sustainable economies.
The Minister added that the “Knowledge Youth Forum” is not just a traditional event, but rather a practical model for integrating the roles of government institutions with young people, in order to create policies that respond to the transformations of the digital and knowledge world. He also pointed out the importance of supportinginnovation and entrepreneurshipin light of the rapid transformations the world is witnessing.
For his part, Mr. Jamal bin Huwaireb, Executive Director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, stressed that empowering Arab youth is a top priority, and that the forum represents a practical embodiment of this vision. He expressed his happiness at the forum’s return to Cairo after the great success achieved by last year’s edition.
In the same context, Eng. Hani Turki, Director of the Knowledge Project at the United Nations Development Programme, pointed out that the current challenge lies not only in the number of jobs, but also in the widening skills gap between educational outcomes and market requirements, stressing the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in education and vocational training, keeping pace with rapid developments in the fields of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
The forum’s discussions shape the features of development policies
The first day of the forum witnessed the launch of a group of rich discussion sessions, initiated by Mr. Mustafa Magdy, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports, with a session titled “Knowledge Economy and Human Development.” The session focused on the importance of formulating development policies that are compatible with global transformations in the labor market and technology.
The second session was moderated by Mr. Fathi Imad, Director of the Knowledge Youth Office. This session discussed how to formulate public policies capable of keeping pace with a rapidly changing world, where knowledge and innovation have become among the most prominent engines of growth and competitiveness. A number of ministers and heads of institutions concerned with the field of knowledge participated in the session.
During the discussions, it was stressed the need to enhance integration between the efforts of the state, the private sector and civil society in order to build a supportive knowledge environment. It was also pointed out that investing in human capital does not only mean education, but rather includes building comprehensive capabilities that qualify individuals for leadership and contribution to development.
Empowering youth in the age of digital transformation
The first day’s sessions addressed a wide range of pressing global issues, from artificial intelligence and reimagining education, to the role of international institutions in supporting the knowledge economy, as well as the challenges caused by misinformation and its impact on the economy and society. A number of executive leaders from leading companies such as Microsoft, along with distinguished thinkers and experts, participated in the discussions, which gave the dialogue an applied character that moves away from traditional theorizing, and delves into the heart of the mechanisms of transforming knowledge into effective economic value.
The visions presented unanimously agreed on the necessity of reforming education, linking it to contemporary skills, and strengthening public policies that help innovation and support digital transformation, especially in vital sectors such as health, energy, and education. At the end of the day, a clear message crystallized, stating that Arab youth do not lack ambition or vision, but rather need real institutional empowerment in which the roles of governments, international institutions, and local communities are integrated.
In conclusion, theThe Earth Guards Foundation emphasizes that betting on the knowledge economy is inseparable from betting on humans, and that empowering youth in the Arab world will not be achieved through platforms and software alone, but rather through building a comprehensive environment that develops in them critical awareness, societal responsibility, and the ability to innovate in the face of environmental and development challenges.
The “Knowledge Youth Forum” in its fourth edition has proven that youth are not only human energy, but rather a cultural pillar capable of leading a real transformation towards a more just and sustainable future, and the diversity of topics and approaches witnessed by the forum confirms that knowledge has become a tool for understanding and reshaping the world, and that cross-border knowledge dialogue has become a necessity for formulating common solutions.
