Young Talents Brought to the Fore at the Arab Knowledge Economy Conference
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Released 18 January 2008
One hundred and twenty Saudi Arab youth recently participated in one of the first of its kind world café sessions in the Kingdom, bringing forth their highly creative ideas and energy in a manner that impressed all at the Arab Knowledge Economy Conference held in Jiddah.
Nimah Nawwab shared a poem dedicated to the talents and dreams of the forum participants.
The conference which drew international speakers and attendees was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal the Governor of the Makkah Region and drew businessmen, academics and professionals as well as the youth contingent.
"It is not surprising that the youth session was the highlight of the conference as attested to by the response and participation in the Talents Alive Discovery Shop", says Saudi Aramcon and Young Global Leader Nimah Nawwab who devised the workshop with Dr Charles Savage, a pioneer and leader in knowledge economy.
"We consider innovation and creativity a triumph and they are key aims sought out by all, yet innovation and creativity are as natural to youth as breathing and as effortless. Their ways of thinking are limitless in terms of possibility of attainment and the horizon is wide open for their energy and passions," Nawwab states "when initiating this session I knew that the energy within the participants will mark the experience for all. They are the talent wave and way to the future. We are the recipients of learning in this instance- we learn from them and not vice versa."
AKEA Youth Session Panelists
At the start of the session Khalid al Mutairi introduced the participants to the facilitators, Nimah followed with a poem dedicated to their talents and urged them to pursue their dreams in a motivational manner alluding to the numerous choices that they now have and noting that this generation doesn’t have to limit their visions. She then introduced the concept of the session before taking them through the world café workshops exercises with Charles Savage as they alternatively conducted the session.
"Knowledge is power, and the energy within each and every one of you plus your passion and dreams are other powers. You are the future and the key to it. Your talents, dreams and voices will pave the way and we are-- as noted in the poem-- The Coming are here to serve you – we are the custodians of the newcomers, and you do us proud as we serve you." Nawwab concluded.
The participants ranging in age from 16-25 from several regions of the country then discovered each other's talents, focused on their partners talents on their tables instead of their own, and devised proposals for companies founded on the idea of contemplating future talents, and market needed while keeping the emerging knowledge economy in mind.
Nimah Nawwab meets with participants.
As the 17- year- old Amnah Osamah Fakieh noted: "The Youth Conference was a great experience for me to meet new people who had a lot to give in terms of intellect and creativity. I enjoyed it most because it made me realize my potential to create something new and exciting that will both benefit our economy and society. At the same time it opened my eyes to people that have the same work ethic and commitment as I do to create something progressive and benefiting for Saudi Arabia and for the world."
Khalid Dhubaib another young participant from the Eastern Province whose parents work for Saudi Aramco and a young writer also stated:" I really enjoyed the conference, I had the chance to meet many special individuals and exchange views with them. The motivational talks given by Nimah Nawwab and Charles Savage were very powerful and inspiring. Overall I enjoyed the experience of trying to develop a virtual company whilst interacting with others."
The forum allowed young leaders to exchange ideas.
As Savage, Nawwab, Prince Saud ibn Khalid Al Faisal and Mutairi, moved through the tables, explained the concept of Knowledge Economy to the participants and how the world in now moving towards this new era, the youth worked together on building concepts for companies and then moved from their tables leaving a host to explain the concept to others, ending up with tables representing four companies to share their proposals with before sharing theme with the whole group.
This world café style was put to the test as it led to collaboration and exchanging ideas with an aim to listen to each other and was a unique way to engage young participants as they smoothly picked up the process and used it to the maximum. Their initiatives were proposed as the energy in the hall built up with the momentum of ideas. "Brainstorming alongside people of my age group about real-life issues put many vague ideas that we may have had to a reality test," Aziz Khalid Al Falih an MIT student affirmed, " I feel strongly that many groups from the workshop will pursue the ideas they developed, thus creating a new basis for the Knowledge Economy fostered by the youth."
As the session proceeded a prime live example of youth innovation was interjected amid warm support as Khalid al Mutairi, a founder of AKEA introduced four young talented Saudi inventors who had come up with a robot to help Saudi Aramco in a deep sea venture through devising an automated, time reducing solution to dealing with pipe valves under the sea in the company's operation. The team that represented the four regions of the kingdom and are part of the gifted students of Arabia, were further encouraged to share their future ambitions and plans through questions from the audience.
Participants received certificates signed by Savage and Nawwab at the end of the forum.
Female and male participants later on continued to share their innovative proposals including forming a future center, an idea bank and various others, and concluded with a question and answer session followed by presentation of certificates signed by Savage and Nawwab.
At the conclusion of the conference, recommendations on adopting three top initiatives were presented to the conference attendees at the concluding session of the conference as all joined in to thank speakers, sponsors and guests.
For further information on the youth session, visit http://www.akeame.com/YouthSession.asp.