New York - information office -December 15
Organized by the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Generation Amazing, and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) ), a three-day virtual training course began on Monday on enhancing youth participation in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.
In a speech inaugurating the course, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani reviewed Qatar's sustainable strategy by hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022, which is represented by the representation of young people in the region through football programs.
HE Ambassador Sheikha Alya indicated that the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), as the leading government entity in the State of Qatar responsible for implementing and coordinating the infrastructure, services and programs, is implementing this strategy through the launch of the "Generation Amazing" initiative.
Her Excellency explained that the Generation Amazing initiative aims to use football initiatives for development goals to address social issues by involving youth in countries with specific needs, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The program, she said, includes establishing community soccer pitches and providing football training for development, as well as promoting sustainable behavior among youth in the State of Qatar and throughout the region. Her Excellency also referred to a number of innovative and wonderful programs established by the Generation Amazing initiative, which aim to empower individuals to represent and support the values of global citizenship through the development of football. Those who advocate for youth not only consider youth the driving force for positive change, but also a key factor in finding solutions to social issues, she added.
HE the Ambassador said that this course is specifically held to provide youth advocates with a deeper understanding of the 2030 Agenda, the enabling role that sport plays in its implementation, and the key importance of youth participation in the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
HE Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani wished that the youth advocates would clearly recognize the power of sport to inspire humanity, bring hope and transform humanity through joint action.
The training course is designed to provide an in-depth analysis of the 2030 Agenda, through an introduction to the post-2015 process, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their challenges, the integration of sustainable development goals policies, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It will also set contexts for how youth can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and the role the young generation will play in the future.
The course will focus on how Generation Amazing uses football in development initiatives to address social issues in countries with specific needs. It also will shed light on promoting sustainable behaviors among youth in Qatar and across the region.
It will also determine how sport, especially football, contributes to sustainability and how FIFA World Cup 2022, hosted by the State of Qatar, sets standards for social, human, economic and environmental development.
Moreover, the course will provide a workshop to prepare young people to assume leadership positions, through simulation exercises. The workshop will provide a unique opportunity for practices and receiving feedback to enhance young people's skills in leadership and negotiation.
The training course was led by UNITAR New York Head of Office Marco Suazo. The opening of the course was attended by HE SC Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi, and HE Ambassador and HE Permanent Representative of the Principality of Monaco to the United Nations Ambassador Isabelle Picco.