Young Arab Leaders’ (YAL) programs and initiatives have been developed to enable young Arab achievers to become true leaders, entrepreneurs and triggers of positive change. Thanks to these programs and initiatives, beneficiaries of both genders have been exposed to international expertise and experiences to help them acquire global leadership and entrepreneurial thinking skills. Participation in YAL programs qualifies them to hold leadership positions in local and international companies in their countries.
Our programs are based on regional needs identified through our research of Arab youth, current challenges and fact-based analysis. They are championed by YAL members and evaluated on a continuous basis to assess impact and efficiency. YAL partners with other organizations to drive these programs.
Of the challenges facing Arab youth, YAL aims to tackle the issue of unemployment through education and entrepreneurship programs and initiatives, operating using a facilitator/partner model. Given the new strategy of operations, YAL country offices and YAL members will play a huge role in the implementation and sustainability of YAL programs.
Beneficiaries of YAL programs and initiatives are young Arabs, ranging from fresh college graduates to university students to young professionals, between the ages of 20 and 35, who participate in any one of the YAL programs. YAL programs are open to male and female Arab youth on the basis of merit. They provide equal opportunities to eligible Arab youth irrespective of their nationality, religion, gender or social class.
YAL education initiative
There is a distinct skills mismatch between market needs and educational curricula which translates into a stark difference between graduates’ skills and the demands of employers.
YAL aims to bridge this gap, and has undertaken various internship exchanges and business fellowships to enable and empower Arab youth to take on the challenges of the regional and global markets.
YAL Internship Exchange programs
The Internship Exchange is an initiative of YAL aimed at encouraging dialogue between Arab students and managers from world-renowned companies. The companies provide high quality internship positions for Arab students nominated by YAL. The internship gives students an insight into diverse fields such as media, information technology, engineering, finance and business management.
YAL Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
The MENA region needs more entrepreneurs and innovators to foster healthy economic growth. The region faces two main challenges: to create better jobs for an increasingly educated young workforce and to diversify its economy away from the traditional sectors and toward sectors which are export oriented, labor intensive and knowledge driven.
The YAL Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative Program aims to nurture innovation amongst young, small and medium entrepreneurs in the region and provide them opportunities for training, mentoring and networking.
SMEs/young entrepreneurs or students learn through the program, from the experiences of other start-up and early-stage companies in the region and receive mentorship and on-the-job training from experienced and successful YAL members and partners.
Voice
The ‘voice’ initiative brings together influential dignitaries from the Arab World and other regions to address regional and global awareness gaps and spread a culture of dialogue and communication. Dignitaries of the highest caliber will participate in the various programs and networking events to share their viewpoints on the importance of diversity, as well as the necessity of dialogue and collaboration between all cultures to achieve a better future.
For more information on YAL programs, please visit www.yaleaders.org
Successfully accomplished YAL programs:
- Learning for Life Development Centers
- Top Talent Camp
- Arab-Asian Internship Exchange Program
- Arab European Exchange Program
- Regional Internship Exchange Program
- Arab American Business Fellowship Program (AABF)
- Global Action Forums
- Regional Forums
