ABU DHABI, 28th April, 2018 (WAM) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,MoFAIC, has signed an agreement with Sandooq Al Watan to launch the “Global Leaders” initiative, which seeks to prepare young UAE nationals for high-ranking positions within international organisations.
The initiative – implemented through the United Nations’ Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programme – is executed under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the supervision of Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation.
The agreement was signed at the Expo 2020 headquarters by Yacoub Al Hosani, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Organisations’ Affairs; and Mohamed Al Qadhi, General Manager of Sandooq Al Watan; in the presence of Reem Al Hashimy; and Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Chairman of Sandooq Al Watan.
The “Global Leaders” initiative helps cement the UAE’s pioneering position and further promotes the country’s positive image around the world. It empowers UAE youth to participate in the country’s development efforts, honing their capacities and expertise, and polishing their leadership skills. The initiative includes a programme to train talented young Emiratis at prestigious international institutions; the programme monitors vacancies at these institutions, determines the requirements to fill these positions, and then provides the necessary training and support for the young candidates.
“Signing this agreement reflects the UAE leadership’s commitment to invest in the future of young Emiratis and prepare a new generation of qualified leaders to leave their mark locally and internationally,” said Reem Al Hashimy. “Our leaders are dedicated to launching initiatives and programmes to train the youth, channel their energies, hone their skills, and enhance their competitiveness on an international scale.”
Al Hashimy went on to note that this initiative in cooperation with Sandooq Al Watan is another step forward towards empowering young people; “It is a platform that allows to share our young citizens’ talents with the world,” she concluded.
For her part, Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, said: “These initiatives, launched by institutions across the UAE to support the country’s youth, contribute immensely to polishing their skills, and provide them with the necessary knowledge to be future leaders in all sectors. They provide customised training programmes that combine theory with practical training, as well as meetings with officials from around the world.”
Al Mazrui thanked the businessmen and the public and private institutions that support and finance youth initiatives through Sandooq Al Watan. Their contributions reflect their commitment to participating in the UAE’s development, she asserted.
Meanwhile, Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim said: “Developing leadership skills among talented young Emiratis is a top priority for our leadership, and the key motive behind their dedication to investing in them, and ensuring they have what it takes to assume leading positions in prestigious international institutions.”
“The ‘Global Leaders’ initiative is an ideal platform to convey the UAE’s success story to the world, and demonstrate our young citizens’ potential and eligibility for top-tier positions in influential international institutions,” he concluded.
The initiative provides an opportunity for young Emiratis to train in international organisations, develop their skills under accomplished professionals, enhance their career prospects, and serve their country and help shape its foreign policy. In its first edition, the initiative is set to attract exceptional local talents, the most qualified among whom will be chosen to join the UN’s Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programme.
Candidates must be under the age of 32, and hold university or higher-education degrees in various disciplines related to these international organisations’ scope of work. They must also be fluent in both Arabic and English with exceptional communication skills, in addition to being able and willing to relocate, adapt to and deal with different cultures.
The programme will begin receiving applications from May 1, 2018, and until June 30. An evaluation committee of experts and specialists will then study the applications and shortlist five candidates by the end of July 2018. In the final stage, shortlisted candidates will go through a series of interviews with representatives from international organisations before they are cleared to assume positions within these institutions.
Interested candidates can take part in the initiative by submitting their applications on the official website: www.globalleaders.ae
