Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani Inaugurates Empower 2015

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This year's EMPOWER is launched under the theme " Youth Development Peaceful Societies" focusing on Personal Leadership,Service Learning and Global Citizenship.

On 12th of March 2015 in Doha Qatar, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani , Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) Chairperson, inaugurated EMPOWER 2015 at the Student Center of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City.In it's 7th consecutive year it is launched under the theme of " Youth Development for Peaceful Societies".

The EMPOWER 2015 opening ceremony was attended by the HE Mrs. Sumeyye Erdogan, Deputy Chairman of Kadem, Women and Democracy Association,Turkey.She is also the daughter of the Turkish President recep Tayyip Erdogan.Mrs. Erdogan is participating in EMPOWER 2015 in the framework of the celebration of the Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of the Culture.The ceremony was also attended by HE Doctor Sheikha Aisha Bint Faleh Bin Nasser, ROTA Board Member, HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Thani, ROTA Goodwill Ambassador, Mr. Essa Al Mannai, ROTA Executive Director, a number of Qatari and Arab VIP guests.

Now in its seventh year, EMPOWER is organozed by ROTA which is a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF). the event supports QF's commitment to unlock human potential and build strong, sustainable communities in Qatar and in the region.

HE Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani said: " For the seventh consecutive year,we are proud to launch EMPOWER. It is a conference organised and owned by youth and is being introduced to youth.It foucuses on three main pillars: Personal Leadership,Service Learning and Global Citizenship.The young people taking part in the conference have chosen "peace" to be their message for EMPOWER 2015, to enhance and promote peace ethics and values among their peers around the globe, particularly for those whose hopes and dreams are affected by conflict and war.I can proudly say EMPOWER 2015 acts as a platform to promote peace to the youth of the world to help build strong and sustainable communities.

Some 450 young people between the ages of 16-27 years are attending EMPOWER 2015 representing 23 countries including KSA,UAE,Oman,Kuwait,Bahrain,Turkey,Libya,Algeria,Egypt,Cambodia,malaysia,Azerbaijan,UK,Netherlands,Greece,Ethiopia,Canada,USA,Kirgiztan,Bolivia and Sri Lanka.There is also a number of Qatari participants taking part at EMPOWER.

HE Dr. Sheikha Aisha Bint Faleh Bin Nasser said: " This is a high;y anticipated,critical opportunity for the world's young people to talk about the issues that matters to them and learn from each other on how best to tackle these issues in their community.We are absolutely thrilled to see how EMPOWER, which started with around a hundred people in 2009, has become an influential force for change, resulting in powerful declarations crafted by the youth, which he grabbed the attention of leadres well after the event's conclusion"

The opening ceremony witnessed the announcement of ROTA's youngest and newest Goodwill Ambassador, Ghanem Mohammed Al Muftah.Essa Al Mannai said: " As we are celebrating the seventh year of EMPOWER, I am proud to announce Ghanem Al Mulfath, a twelve-year old boy, as ROTA's newest Goodwill Ambassadors.EMPOWER 2015 is the best opportunity to make this announcement amongst his peers. Ghanem has defeated his disability setting a role model for the whole world that the word 'impossible' vanishes in the face of strong will and determination.

The Kuwaiti artist, Humood Al Khader also performed a beautiful musical piece to the audience.For the first year, the youth have invited Humood to perform as his songs reflect values, ethics and humanitarian messages.

At the end of the ceremony, the names of two winners of "TAMM" Network for Voluntary Work were announced.The winners will travel to Spain to attend El Classico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.the prizes were handed by Mrs. Amal El Mannai, Executive Director of Social Development Center (SDC).

EMPOWER 2015 takes place from March 12th to 14th with a full programme of workshops, panel discussions, off-site visits, debates and focus group discussions.Speakers and panelists are drawn from Qatar and around the globe.