All about the UAE’s Federal Youth Authority
The UAE’s youth is undoubtedly the most precious asset of the nation. The county’s government understands this and has taken different steps to empower young people all across the UAE. One such initiative was the creation of the Federal Youth Authority (FYA), which was established under the Ministry of Culture and Youth.
This authority works across several sectors and encourages young talent to contribute to the region’s development with innovative ideas and varying skillsets. Here’s everything you need to know about the Federal Youth Authority in the UAE.
OVERVIEW
The FYA was launched in 2016 by the UAE Cabinet. FYA makes sure that the voice of the country’s younger residents is conveyed to the relevant policymakers. The age group considered is from 15 to 35.
The aim of the authority is to develop a National Youth Strategy that will cultivate an environment where the nation’s youth can be productive and successful.
FEDERAL YOUTH AUTHORITY UAE VISION
The vision of the FYA is that investing in the country’s youth is the best model for serving the country and for safeguarding its future.
FEDERAL YOUTH AUTHORITY UAE MISSION
The mission of the Authority is the promotion of youth.
“We invest in Youth’s Energy, our most valuable resource, by nurturing their character, developing the environment that surrounds and shapes them, and maximizing their participation.”
VALUES AND NORMS FOLLOWED BY THE FYA, UAE
Here are the values the Federal Youth Authority follows in order to achieve its goals.
PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE
The FYA ensures excellence in everything that they do for the youth of the UAE. All of the initiatives by the authority are focused on delivering excellence and creating a positive impact.
FORWARD LOOKING INCLUSIVITY & BOLD
The team at the FYA is passionate and well-informed with a focus on innovation. They challenge the status quo and seek innovative approaches that are new and effective. The idea is to take calculated risks to drive government innovation.
INCLUSIVITY
All programs by the FYA ensure the inclusion of youth across all the emirates. The authority employs an evidence-based framework and adequate resources to implement systematic inclusivity.
CROWDSOURCING CULTURE
The FYA supports an ‘inclusivity via crowdsourcing’ culture in order to include every young person in the country in their team. This helps the FYA team proliferate the overall influence of their initiatives.
GOVERNMENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The FYA maintains an open environment where young minds can bring all sorts of innovative ideas and projects to incubate and develop them further.
BY YOUTH, FOR YOUTH
The Federal Youth Authority is a program by the country’s youth and for its youth.
OBJECTIVES OF THE FEDERAL YOUTH AUTHORITY, UAE
Next up is an overview of the major objectives of FYA.
NURTURE CHARACTER
The FYA strives to instil values and the national spirit in Emirati youth. The authority is working on initiatives that will help young people of the country become more aware, capable and competent.
CULTIVATE ENVIRONMENT
The FYA is creating an ecosystem that will give young minds access to multipurpose Youth Hubs, purpose-built spaces designed to positively impact behaviour and development.
MAXIMISE PARTICIPATION
FYA is working on creating engagement channels for youth where they can participate and contribute on national, local, regional and international platforms. These platforms are providing the youth with structures through which they can involve in decision-making processes for different policies and issues.
FEDERAL YOUTH AUTHORITY UAE SERVICES
The FYA offers these services to the talented young population of the country.
- Investment in professionally preparing young people
- Investment in young people’s potential for the service of their country
- Investment in youth talents and hobbies
- Investment in youth projects
- Investment in family building
- Investment in young people’s capacities
- Investment in international youth representation
- Investment in spaces dedicated to youth
INITIATIVES OF FEDERAL YOUTH AUTHORITY UAE
The FYA has undertaken many initiatives and started a host of programs to ensure their plans come to fruition and their objectives are achieved. Moreover, it has taken an active part in projects undertaken by other governmental entities.
Here’s some insight into their top initiatives:
YOUTH CIRCLES
Developed to encourage meaningful discussions and the expression of opinions, Youth Circles is a youth dialogue platform. The platform organises meetings in different locations to discuss challenges faced by the nation’s youth and derive practical solutions for them.
YOUTH COUNCILS
Youth Councils UAE is an entity formed under the Federal Youth Authority. The aim of the council is to form national youth groups and direct the youth’s energies in establishing sustainable developments across the country.
The Councils were established by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.
FAKHR
Fakhr is a community campaign that has been created to appreciate national service employees in the UAE.
Other initiatives and programs by Federal Youth Authority include:
- 100 Mentors
- Youth Data
- Arab Youth Forum
- Arab Youth Center
- Done By Youth
- Flow
- Youth Policy
- UN Youth Delegates Program
- Emirates Youth Values National Program
- Youth Retreat
- Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Centre for Awqaf and Endowment
- National Youth Dialogue
- Youth Agenda
- UAE Government Leaders Programme (UAEGLP)
- Youth Hub
- Youth Debates
- International Youth Day
- Emirates Youth Summer Academy
- Emirates Youth Global Initiative
- Emirates Youth Professional School
- Emirati Values Iftar
- Youth 101
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT MODEL
The Youth Empowerment Manual is a framework to ensure youth empowerment in the UAE’s governmental entities. The model equips individuals leading these entities to clearly define and work towards youth empowerment agenda and focus on cultivating a culture that appreciates youth empowerment initiatives.
The Framework as outlined by the Federal Youth Authority has the following components:
- Voice – Communication and Participation
- Recognition – Reward and Appreciation
- Purpose – Commitment and Fulfillment
- Guidance – Mentorship and Coaching
- Development – Capability and Performance
- Opportunity Responsibility and Progress
A youth empowerment survey will be conducted on an annual basis to find out how the youth feels about the initiatives being taken for youth empowerment. Visit the Federal Youth Authority website to find out more about the model implementation.
FYA CONTACT INFORMATION
Here is the location and contact information for the Federal Youth Authority:
- Federal Youth Authority contact number: 800-96884
- Federal Youth Authority location: Level 13, Emirates Towers, Dubai
- Federal Youth Authority email: info@youth.gov.ae
Many of your queries can be answered if you visit the official Federal Youth Authority website
FAQS
WHAT AGE BRACKET IS CONSIDERED AS YOUTH?
Anyone aged 15 to 35 is considered a member of the youth.
WHO IS THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS, UAE?
Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui is the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, UAE. She has experience working in different governmental and non-governmental bodies.
That concludes our guide to the Federal Youth Authority. The UAE government has also instigated many other initiatives for the betterment of the country. For instance, UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 proposes significant changes to the energy mix in a relatively short period of time.
