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Abu Dhabi: A new project has been focusing on unlocking youth leadership potential in the UAE.
For the past two months, selected groups of young Emiratis have been undergoing intense leadership and team building activities in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah.
The programme is called the Tawteen Youth Leadership Project. Launched in December 2007, Tawteen, meaning "Localisation" in English, was established by the Emirates Foundation and leading UAE private sector companies to tap into the human potential of young people in the UAE.
The programmes are created to help the youth acquire self-confidence, skills and the right mind-set to succeed as tomorrow's leaders. The camps are generally held over a period of two days and are divided between male and female days. Five male camps, and three one-day female camps, have been held already, involving some 250 students from universities or Higher Colleges across the UAE.
During a camp experience at Wadi Beach, students experienced a complex range of activities specifically designed to introduce and reinforce leadership qualities and skills.
Private sector partners involved in the camps are BP and ALDAR Properties.
The camps have had a profound impact on many of the young participants. Camp activities include leadership theory, practical exercises, and debriefing sessions. Students work in a group context to "learn by doing".
The Tawteen Youth Leadership Project is one of eight projects developed after the initial Tawteen Symposium early in 2007. The aim is to provide similarly testing activity opportunities for young nationals across three key groups: high school, higher education and post-graduates, in coming years.
Young Emiratis from the Emirates Foundation's Takatof ("shoulder to shoulder") Programme have been trained as team leaders for the camps, and they gain valuable experience in facilitation, team management and motivation.
The Managing Director of the Emirates Foundation, Ahmad Ali Al Sayegh, said in a statement: "Tawteen actively supports the Government's aim of preparing young UAE nationals to secure sustainable employment in the private sector. They face an uncertain and demanding world. Through this and other Tawteen projects we help them meet and overcome these challenges."
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