An elite group of top UAE officials will share their insights and expertise on how to tackle the youth crisis in the Middle East and North Africa, MENA, region at the two-day "Investing in the Future" conference (IIFMENA 2018), that will take place in Sharjah on 24th and 25th October.

Organised by the UAE-based global humanitarian organisation, The Big Heart Foundation, TBHF, with key partners, UNHCR, UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, SOS Village and NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, NAMA, the conference is themed "Youth – Crisis Challenges and Development Opportunities", and offers its global platform to highlight the challenges faced by young people in the crisis-laden MENA region, and offer practical solutions with a focus on stronger youth participation and inclusion in decision-making.

On the first day, the conference will host Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council and TBHF’s Humanitarian Envoy, in recognition of his prestigious stature and community efforts as well as his ability to influence others about the importance of humanitarian work.

Sheikh Sultan believes in the power of youth as the nation’s human capital and those that shape its future, as well as in the TBHF’s role in communicating humanitarian messages by Sharjah and the UAE through various valuable and unique initiatives that aims to alleviate the suffering of the underprivileged and those affected by man-made and natural disasters worldwide.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, will touch on the methods of Artificial Intelligence, AI, and its role in empowering youth. He will underscore the importance of harnessing the latest technologies to promote innovation, develop systems and techniques that can affect and bring about a positive impact on people’s lives, during the opening session on the second day.

Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, is also among the keynote speakers on the first day and will address the need of young people to gain future skills that support their role in overseeing the development of higher education and scientific research. The role of the youth is also important in developing an education policy and regulating the functions of institutions in the education sector, as well as ensuring the quality and alignment of its outputs with the needs and requirements of the job market.

Hessa Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, and Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, will also address the youth and young influencers on the first day of the conference.