The second annual Arab Youth Survey has once again shown the UAE’s appeal to the youth of the region, after they voted for it as a model country for the fourth consecutive year.
The significance of this honour is not lost given that the foresight and knowledge of the rulers has been a major guiding force for the UAE to stay its course and graduate into one of the world’s most relevant nations even as countries neighbouring it are still searching for their identities. The path to progress is never easy, but the Arab youth surveyed have stated with conviction that they want their countries to emulate the UAE by following its principles.
This honour, coming from the youth of the region, is loaded with meaning not just because 60 per cent of the Arab world’s population is under the age of 25, but also because 200 million of them are going to play a relevant role in changing the future. The UAE has pitched its reputation on empowering tomorrow’s generation and this will come to a climax when it becomes the first Arab nation to host the World Expo in 2020. The Expo’s theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future emboldens the spirit of youth and engenders a spirit of partnership and cooperation — hallmarks of the UAE’s enterprising, ambitious and innovative spirit. The fact that the UAE is the top choice among 20 nations in the world — ahead of even the US — adds extra sheen to this honour. The Arab youth have their fair share of current concerns, given the turbulent scenario in the Middle East, but through it, they see the UAE as a beacon of hope and inspiration not just in their time, but also for future generations to come.
