DoE Youth Programme empowers future Emirati leaders

emirates7 - The Department of Energy - Abu Dhabi (DoE) organized a Youth Programme as part of the ongoing International Desalination and Water Reuse World Congress (IDRA World Congress 2024).

The programme brought together industry experts and top professors to engage youth from the UAE and internationally in strategic discussions, ideation sessions, and workshops. Key topics covered included global water scarcity, sustainable practices, technological innovation, energy integration, water stewardship, and international cooperation.

Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the DoE, stressed the importance of involving youth in these discussions, stating, “Today’s youth are the future architects of innovative solutions to safeguard water resources. The Youth Programme, within the framework of the IDRA World Congress, reflects our commitment to preparing young minds to take responsibility by engaging them in a global event that connects knowledge with action.”

The programme featured ‘The Abu Dhabi Water Drop Story,’ where Al Marar discussed the evolution of water management in Abu Dhabi, and the ‘Youth Ideation Workshop: Hydro and Solar Tech Synergy,’ led by Malake Halabi, Future Sustainability Leader at Masdar, which focused on sustainable innovation in water production. Additionally, Ayesha Abdulrahman Al Ali, Innovation Specialist at the DoE, led a session on ‘Driving Energy Leadership and Innovation,’ exploring leadership’s role in energy innovation.

The Youth Programme is a key part of the Congress’s broader agenda addressing the intersection of water, energy, and food security. It aims to nurture a generation of young leaders who can champion sustainable water policies and technologies in the UAE and globally.

Shannon McCarthy, Secretary-General of IDRA, emphasized the importance of preparing future leaders to find sustainable solutions, saying, “As global water scarcity intensifies, the Youth Programme at this Congress is designed to foster fresh perspectives and international collaborations, empowering young leaders to drive meaningful change.”

Hamad Naji Aldhaheri, Chairman of the DoE Youth Council, noted that the programme provides youth with valuable experience on the world stage.

The IDRA World Congress 2024 also spotlighted the IDRA Young Leader Programme, aimed at professionals under 35, offering mentorship, scholarships, and fellowships to support the development of future leaders in the water sector.

Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the IDRA World Congress 2024 underscores its strategic commitment to sustainable water management and empowers young leaders to take action on the critical issue of water scarcity.