10 Youth Initiatives Launched by the “Scouting Youth Retreat” to Shape the Future of Scouting in the UAE
In a step that reflects the ambitious strategic vision of the Emirates Scout Association toward empowering young people and strengthening their role as key partners in shaping the future, the “Scouting Youth Retreat” was held at the headquarters of the Sharjah Scout Commission. The event witnessed broad participation from scout youth members, volunteers, and members of international delegations as part of ongoing efforts to define the next phase of the scouting movement for the 2026–2029 cycle and contribute to the development of the UAE’s upcoming scouting strategy. The retreat culminated in the launch of a package of 10 pioneering youth initiatives.
The retreat comes within a comprehensive vision adopted by the Emirates Scout Association, centered on investing in youth potential and actively involving young people in planning and decision-making processes, in line with the UAE’s vision of building a generation of leaders capable of addressing future challenges and contributing to sustainable development. The retreat provided a dynamic platform for open dialogue, bringing together youthful ambition and institutional expertise in an interactive environment based on the exchange of ideas, analysis of current realities, and anticipation of future opportunities.
The retreat brought together an outstanding group of scout youth representatives from various scout commissions across the UAE, alongside participants with international experience and volunteers through the UAE Volunteer Platform. This diversity added significant depth and richness to the discussions, reflecting a high level of awareness among young participants regarding the importance of their role in advancing scouting and enhancing its impact on society.
The retreat adopted a modern interactive methodology carefully designed to ensure maximum active participation. Participants were divided into balanced working groups based on key themes, including youth empowerment and leadership, program and activity development, scouting media and marketing, sustainability, and partnerships. These themes were strategically selected to address the most important areas requiring development and to serve as practical foundations for generating implementable ideas and initiatives.
During the working sessions, participants engaged in in-depth discussions addressing the current challenges facing scouting, such as the need to modernize programs to align with the interests of younger generations, strengthen the media presence of the scouting movement, expand strategic partnerships, and develop innovative mechanisms for sustainable resources. The discussions extended beyond identifying challenges to proposing practical solutions and creative ideas, which were refined within the working groups and transformed into clearly defined initiatives.
These collaborative efforts resulted in the launch of ten high-impact youth initiatives that reflected the participants’ ambition and creativity. Several initiatives focused on equipping young people with future-ready skills and preparing them for the labor market through specialized training programs and educational platforms aligned with the requirements of the modern economy. Other initiatives aimed at developing scouting programs by integrating digital technologies and innovation into activity design to create more engaging and interactive experiences for participants.
In the field of media and marketing, participants proposed advanced approaches to reposition scouting through modern communication methods based on digital content creation, social media engagement, and the use of emerging trends to strengthen the visibility and outreach of the scouting movement among young people. Emphasis was also placed on establishing a unified media identity that reflects the values and humanitarian mission of scouting.
Within the sustainability and partnerships pillar, participants introduced initiatives focused on building strategic relationships with government and private sector entities to support the implementation of scouting programs and projects, secure sustainable funding sources, promote volunteerism, and strengthen community partnerships that contribute to expanding social impact.
Participants also gave significant attention to the role of scouts in community service by proposing practical initiatives aimed at implementing field campaigns in environmental protection, resource conservation, and volunteer support within healthcare institutions. These initiatives reinforce the role of scout youth as an active force in serving society and translating scouting values into tangible action.
In this context, Khadija Al Hammadi stated that the youth retreat represents an advanced model for engaging young people in decision-making. She noted that the high level of interaction witnessed during the retreat reflects a deep understanding among youth of the importance of their role in developing scouting. She added that the association views the retreat as the starting point for a new phase in which youth ideas will be transformed into practical initiatives and executive programs, affirming that the voice of youth will remain present throughout all stages of planning and development.
For her part, Noor Al Hosani explained that the retreat produced high-quality outcomes that will contribute to strengthening the association’s strategic plan. She highlighted that the recommendations presented by participants reflect advanced awareness of both challenges and opportunities and confirm the ability of youth to play an effective role in shaping the future of scouting. She added that volunteerism will remain a central pillar of these efforts due to its role in strengthening belonging and social responsibility.
Meanwhile, Hussain Ali Al Musallam emphasized that the retreat embodied the spirit of teamwork and belonging, noting that the discussions demonstrated a high level of intellectual maturity among participants. He stressed that these outcomes provide a strong foundation for developing scouting programs in line with the aspirations of young people and affirmed that investing in youth potential is the true guarantee for the sustainability and continued evolution of the scouting movement.
In turn, Abdulrahman Al Hosani described the retreat as a pioneering experience that strengthens youth participation in strategic planning pathways. He emphasized that it provided a genuine platform for dialogue and decision-making from a youth perspective, adding that the ideas and visions presented reflect the strong ambition of young people to contribute to the development of scouting and enhance its role and standing within society.
Through this pioneering initiative, the Emirates Scout Association reaffirms its ongoing commitment to empowering youth and providing a supportive environment that encourages innovation and active participation. This contributes to building a more flexible and sustainable scouting ecosystem capable of adapting to change and fulfilling the UAE’s aspirations to prepare an influential generation of leaders who contribute to the nation’s comprehensive development journey.