Abu Dhabi: Hundreds of budding young entrepreneurs gathered in Abu Dhabi Wednesday for the inaugural Global Youth Forum.
The event, which was organised by Al Ahli Holding Group in partnership with the British Council, brought together over 100 Emirati students with youngsters from all over the world including Jordan, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil and the United Kingdom.
The forum focused on topics such as business planning, marketing and the role that new small and medium sized businesses have in the global economy. Participants were also given the opportunity to attend seminars given by numerous visiting professors, business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Rajeeb Day, Chief Executive of Enternships.com, a company that provides young people with work placements in entrepreneurial environments, said: "Entrepreneurs are not limited by geographical boundaries. We may be from different countries but we share a common culture; a desire to make a difference, a desire to add value and create opportunities in the world through business and social enterprise."
The aim of the Global Youth Forum is to prepare young people for work and as business leaders. Speakers at the event included Mohammad Khammas, CEO of Al Ahli Holding Group, Richard Cotton, UAE Country Director for the British Council, and Jonathan Oldershaw of Enterprise UK.
Diana Bird, the co-founder and director of loyalty card company Wedge Card, said: "When like-minded people meet, an energy is created. Entrepreneurship is all about energy, exploring new ideas and meeting new contacts. This forum is an important first step ... I am looking forward to being involved in this exciting project."
