Hamdi Abdel Aziz
The number of youth associations and centers in the Kingdom of Bahrain is 66 associations and a center that plays a great role in empowering young people and working to discover, refine and highlight their talents and develop their skills through a set of activities and programs that contribute to developing leadership and creative capabilities for young people, according to the priorities of the national strategy to empower youth 2023 – 2028, and also contribute to achieving Bahrain Vision 2030, by empowering and qualifying young people to be the leaders of future Sustainable development and harvest its fruits.
The work of associations and centers start from a future royal vision from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the king of the country, under the auspices of Bahraini youth at various levels and sectors, and support their active participation in the comprehensive development process, as they are the true wealth of the homeland, which is embodied in the unlimited continuous support and continuous follow -up by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Supporting Bahraini youth, assigning them to positions and leadership responsibilities, and launching many projects, initiatives and qualitative programs by investing in national cadres to supply all development sectors with competencies, skills and high capabilities.
Youth associations and youth empowerment centers in the Kingdom of Bahrain work within the regulatory frameworks, laws and policies of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and include 25 youth associations in various fields, 38 youth empowerment centers, and 3 model centers.
Youth associations work at the national level, by coordinating youth policies, programs and initiatives, in addition to providing guidance and support to both youth and youth organizations throughout the Kingdom. As for the youth empowerment centers, they usually work at the local level, as they focus on providing direct services and support for youth in the local community. These parties work together to empower young people and ensure that they obtain resources and opportunities that enable them to prosper.
Associations seek to enhance participation and development of leadership capabilities and skills and provide professional guidance and educational opportunities to qualify young people to achieve success in the future. In this context, 8 associations from the Ministry of Social Development were transferred to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs late last year, whose goals are compatible with the goals of the ministry: the Youth and Environment Association, the YBO Association, the ISIC Association, the Bahraini Association for Researchers and Inventors, the Arab Tustamasters Horizon Club, the Klin App Association, the Youth Leadership Association, the Bahraini Achievement Association.
This represents an important station to enhance administrative and organizational work in these associations and develop the support system for youth, which contributes to creating a competitive environment for young people, which motivates them to develop their skills, develop their capabilities, and activate their role as major partners in sustaining national development. The presence of youth associations under the supervision of the Ministry will enable them to direct these associations and their programs in line with the priorities of the national strategy to empower youth 2023-2028.
As for the youth empowerment centers, it aims to provide a safe and stimulating environment for youth to participate in the activities, entertainment and educational programs and cultural events. It offers a variety of activities such as sports, arts, theater, music, health awareness, training workshops, volunteering, vocational and educational counseling, and other social activities. These centers focus on empowering young people, developing their personal and social skills, and directing them towards positive development.
It seeks to raise young people and youth balanced in terms of physical, psychological and mental aspects, developing the talents and capabilities of youth, cultural, artistic and voluntary youth, in accordance with the customs and customs of society, and the care of young people in various fields, and providing opportunities for distinguished youth in participating in youth programs in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and supporting and strengthening ties between the Kingdom’s youth.
In addition to 38 youth centers, there are 3 model centers: the Scientific Center for Sustainable Development Goals, Al -Muharraq Youth Center, Hamad Youth City Center. These were organized for the centers combined 169 events in 2024, and the number of beneficiaries reached 7619 young people, and 173 youth talents were discovered and honed.
Social and cultural clubs, clubs, and youth centers are an essential partner for the Ministry of Youth in achieving their goals aimed at developing the youth sector in the Kingdom and creating a distinct space to implement initiatives and programs directed to Bahraini youth, and the ministry provides all means of support for incubated institutions for Bahraini youth to ensure a positive and sustainable impact on youth and society.
Within the framework of the government government partnership, the Kingdom of Bahrain ranked second at the level of Arab countries in the “World Youth Development Index 2023”, issued by the General Secretariat of the Commonwealth Association and the Institute of Economics and Peace. The index measures the priorities of enhancing the welfare and empowerment of youth all over the world, and it supports the amount of youth development in 183 countries, by monitoring performance and achievement through 6 main areas related to the sustainable development targets; Health, education, gender equality, employment and opportunities, peace and security, and political and civil participation.
The Kingdom of Bahrain was classified as a very high youth development, by obtaining the highest rating that includes 4 out of 6, at the Gulf, Arab, Middle East and North Africa. It also ranked first at the level of the Arab countries and the countries of the Middle East and North Africa in the field of gender equality and inclusiveness, and it was issued Gulf in the field of employment and opportunities, while obtaining the eleventh position globally in the two axes.
Thus, Bahrain achieves two throws with one correction, “Empowering Youth”, providing an environment that encourages creativity and developing capabilities, enabling young people to invest their full capabilities on the one hand, while moving forward with achieving sustainable development goals with its young national cadres on the other hand.
