DOHA: Forty-eight workshops and two panel discussions were held during the first two days of Empower 2016 youth conference organised for the eighth year by Reach Out To Asia (ROTA).
The workshops and panel discussions which concluded yesterday focused on the concepts of crowd funding, innovation in product creation, entrepreneurship, and the power of social networking, among other topics.
Over 450 youth from various countries are participating at the three-day conference with the theme ‘Innovation in Youth Social Entrepreneurship.’
The conference continues today with off-site visits and panel discussions which will further the knowledge of participants and enrich their experience. The winner of the ROTA Youth Challenge will be announced today.
“It is my first time participating in Empower. ROTA volunteers mentioned Empower when they were visiting my school in Indonesia, and this sparked my interest in attending Empower 2016 since I run a small business in my home town. In addition, I organised workshops to children about cultural heritage. There is no doubt that I have learned a lot of concepts about how to be a social entrepreneur from the panels and workshops. I look forward to learning new skills that will benefit me and my community,” said Linda Masteti, a participant from Indonesia.
HananeHanzi, from Bedaya Center, which had a booth in the dedicated exhibition space, said:“I am amazed by how passionate the participants are about being social entrepreneurs - by becoming social entrepreneurs they will be contributing to the development of the society and making profits at the same time. I believe that EMPOWER 2016 plays an important role in educating and empowering youth.”
Tariq Al Olaimy delivered a workshop titled “Innovation Lessons from the Greatest Social Enterprise in the World” discussing how nature is the greatest social enterprise in the world. The workshop enlightened participants to the practice of Biomimicry, the conscious emulation of nature’s genius in order to solve human challenges.
Al Olaimy said: “What’s unique in this year’s Empower is that, even from the opening speakers there was an understanding that there is a huge shift in the region, the way we need to move away from old models and embrace a new reality. it’s fantastic to see so many young people and that this is youth driven conference, facilitated by youth and organised by youth. I have been so inspired by all the ideas that came from young Qatari entrepreneurs in particular, and the movement towards social entrepreneurship. It makes me very hopeful for the future.”
The Peninsula
