Run The World 2013 - Mission: Philippines

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA

 FOLLOWING the recent conclusion of Run The World (RTW) Festival 2013, representatives of Qatar-based social enterprise, The Youth Company (TYC) and Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) in partnership with Qatar Charity visited the Philippines to offer Typhoon Haiyan victims in-kind donations and funds collected from RTW's charity campaign.

According to a recent report by the Philippines' National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the storm was said to be the worst in the history of the country, claiming the lives of more than 6,000 people, injuring over 27,000, leaving nearly 1,800 missing, and forcing a staggering 3.9 million from their homes.

QMA's Community Outreach Manager Mohamed Farid and TYC's Deputy CEO Abdulrahman Sajid embarked on a week-long journey to Manila, Northern Cebu and Tacloban, the prime cities of the Philippines and the areas where most of the victims affected by the typhoon have found shelter.

They also visited the refugee camps in the province of Cebu. During the visit, Farid and Sajid had the chance to interact first-hand with the communities that were affected, hearing their stories and aiding them with more than two tonnes of donations of clothing, supplies, funds and other materials that were collected during the three-day festival at Katara Beach, Doha, which took place between December 19 and 21.

"The coastal regions were the most affected areas, and though the storm hit more than almost two months ago, the wreckage still engulfs the terrain. It could take more than months, years, to repair the damage; what used to be the homes of countless people. Whatever aid can be given at this difficult period will be greatly appreciated by the affected community," said a guide at the Cebu camp.

The goal to raise donations and funds for Filipino community is one that makes the third edition of RTW unique and much more than a regional youth sports festival.

Initiated in the year 2011, RTW festival chiefly explores themes of healthy and active lifestyles for youth all around the MENA region, but also encourages youth to be actively responsible citizens within their own and global communities, such as participation in charity campaigns and drives.

TYC aims to further engage young people in similar activation, and will be organising a cultural exchange and volunteering programme later in 2014 for its hardest working members to participate in the Philippines.

"RTW is an exciting platform for games, competitions, performances, and various other activities, but it is also meant to be a life-changing experience for young people, in terms of cultural interaction, and above all, community outreach", said QMA's Community Outreach Manager Farid at the Cebu camp.

The journey we've taken here to the Philippines, being in these communities, witnessing their hardships, and to be able to lend a hand to them is an unforgettable experience, and we look forward to getting more youths involved as well in supporting this disaster for the new year," he added.

As an annual initiative of The Youth Company, in partnership with Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum, under QMA, RTWF 2013 is sponsored by a number of corporate bodies and associations, including Sports Corner, Doha Insurance, Queen Medical, and Nasser Bin Khaled.

The event is also supported by Qatar Charity, Al Anis Trading, Qatar Airways, Williams F1, Virgin Megastore, Qatar Sports Leagues, Fitness First, Al Isteklal, Oryx Advertising Co, I Love Qatar, Qatar International Tours, Sound on Wheels, and Coca-Cola.

The various parties successfully carried out the largest, most anticipated, and most engaging youth festival in the GCC region, welcoming more than 120,000 visitors to participate in its diverse programmes.

"We would like to thank all our esteemed sponsors and partners, especially our charity partner, Qatar Charity, for supporting TYC in this campaign for the Philippines. We are here in the Philippines to accomplish a noble mission," Sajid said.

1) Gulf Times: http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/376535/youth,-qma-reps-deliver-donations-to-typhoon-victims (clipping attached)

2) The Peninsula: http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/266800/qma-tyc-distribute-donations-to-philippine-typhoon-victims

3) Qatar Tribune: http://www.qatar-tribune.com/viewnews.aspx?n=627B8FFA-07BF-4AF5-AEBB-4B7191C679D0&d=20140103 (clipping attached)

4) Topix.com: http://www.topix.com/ph/tacloban/2014/01/qma-tyc-distribute-donations-to-philippine-typhoon-victims

5) Allvoices.com: http://www.allvoices.com/news/16265213-qma-tyc-distribute-donations-to-philippine-typhoon-victims

6) Weatherngayon: /http://weatherngayon.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/qma-tyc-distribute-donations-to-philippine-typhoon-victims-peninsula-on-line-january-03-2014-at-1059am/

7) Congoo: http://www.congoo.com/news/addstorycomment.aspx?st=265555491&Channel_ID=11&Category_ID=275

Run The World Festival Team 2013

"Working with each one of the members of the team of Run The World Festival was an experience every single minute.  Students from all over the world came together to make this festival, the largest regional youth sports festival in the history of Middle East & North Africa region." - Abdulrahman Sajid, Project Manager Run The World 2013

Thanks to all:

 

 

 

Project Managing Run The World Festival 2013 - 120,000 Visitors!

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA

 


 THE third edition of Run The World Festival which ended over the weekend attracted over 120,000 visitors.

It was organised by Qatar-based social enterprise, The Youth Company, in partnership with Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum, under Qatar Museums Authority.

The count for the three-day event, which took place at Katara Beach from December 19 to 21, was more than three times the predicted footfall. It engaged over 800 volunteers, 70 organisers, and collaborated with over 50 partners, sponsors, exhibitors and associations.

The regional youth sports festival, which was initiated in 2011, was by far the most entertaining, engaging, and enriching edition and an unforgettable experience for youth in the MENA region, as well as internationally, featuring a myriad of exciting programmes and activities in a vast open space open to all to explore.

The event welcomed special musical guests, athletes, and was sponsored by a number of corporate bodies, including Sports Corner, Doha Insurance, Queen Medical, and Nasser Bin Khaled. Other supporting companies and organisations included Qatar Charity, Al Anis Trading, Qatar Airways, Williams F1, Virgin Megastore, Qatar Sports League, Fitness First, Al Isteklal, Oryx Advertising Co, I Love Qatar, Qatar International Tours, Sound on Wheels, and Coca-Cola.

The festival was also associated with Youth Hub Qatar, a soon to be launched joint-initiative by TYC and Youth Enterprises.

1) I Love Qatar:

http://www.iloveqatar.net/news/content/regional-youth-sports-festival-attracts-over-120000-visitors

2) Qatar Tribune (clipping attached):

http://www.qatar-tribune.com/viewnews.aspx?n=031A88D0-D1CB-49CE-BE18-4948938BFA30&d=20131224

3) The Peninsula Qatar (clipping attached):

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/index.php/news/qatar/265613/run-the-world-festival-attracts-120-000-visitors

Run The World Experience!

Qatari cultural performances and sporting activities marked the opening of the three-day Run The World (RTW) Festival 2013 yesterday afternoon, which was attended by thousands of nationals and expatriates.

Groups of Qataris started performing the traditional sword dance – Ardha - on stage around 5pm. Some male students wearing black suits also showcased a Palestinian dance.

Shala Sayeed, director of communications at RTW, told Gulf Times that they have dedicated the first day to Qatari activities and cultural performances at the Katara beach.

“We have prepared Qatari programmes as this is part of our Qatar National Day celebrations,” she said. “Expect more exciting activities on Friday and Saturday.”

More than 200 participants have registered to participate in different sports competitions such as beach volleyball, beach football, beach tennis, basketball, horse-riding, skateboarding and BMX. Hundreds of people are also expected to join a mini marathon (open to all nationalities), which will be held tomorrow afternoon.

Other attractions include Parkour performance and workshops and break-dancing shows.
The Youth Company, organiser of RTW – which is now in its third year, has partnered with Qatar Charity to raise more than QR500,000 to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. A number of boxes have been installed around the venue where people can drop their donations. Goods and in-kind donations are also welcome.

A dozen booths in the area have been given to members of United Filipino Entrepreneurs in Qatar (UFEQ) to showcase products such as authentic Filipino food, a variety of clothes and printed t-shirts, artworks and other items.

UFEQ chairperson Annie Barcelona Esmer told Gulf Times that some of the proceeds from the bazaar would be donated to typhoon victims.

Philippine Ambassador Crescente Relacion, other embassy officials and members of the Filipino community are expected to grace the activities today. Various entertainment groups will perform at the venue in the evening.

Activities such as street music, car shows and graffiti, as well as the crowdpuller Youth Got Talent, will be held today. Sayeed said the singing and dancing contest has attracted more than 200 bands and solo performers, including Qatari youths.

A separate booth for the Sarang Plus cultural centre has been set up to promote Korean culture, language, food, music, dance and taekwondo.

Sayeed said RTW is aimed at encouraging youth in Qatar to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is also promoting cultural exchanges among its members and volunteers.

As the organiser of the annual festival, she said The Youth Company has involved about 20,000 students and accomplished 23 projects in three years.

Established in December 2010, The Youth Company offers various learning opportunities that include internship, training and seminars. It also organises conferences and invites world-renowned speakers, trainers and business representatives to discuss an array of topics for its youth audience. This included the Youth Change Everything conference.

Doha News

http://dohanews.co/creativity-sports-and-youth-in-focus-as-run-the-world-festival-opens/

Peninsula

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/265220/run-the-world-festival-begins

Doha Press

http://dohapress.com/life-style/culture-art/30532-sword-dance-marks-start-of-run-the-world-festival-2013

Gulf Times

http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/375166/sword-dance-marks-start-of-run-the-world-festival-2013

Abdulrahman Sajid and Volunteering in Qatar

Wednesday 3 July, 2013
Reported by: Reuters, Doha

Charity organization The Youth Company (TYC) was set up in 2010 by 22-year-old Mohamed Farid with the hope of increasing social awareness among young people.

The group organized a volunteering event in May for more than 50 young boys and girls, who cleaned and collected rubbish from the city’s beaches. 


Youth leader at TYC, Abdulrahman Sajid, said that through volunteering, young people develop a sense of community and responsibility for the issues they face.



“Engaging a community that means you’re increasing, you’re basically making sure that people have a value for the community they live in. There are a lot of expatriates in Qatar. You can see like 60 - 70 percent of the population are based on expatriates, but also we know that a lot of these expatriates and all of the young people who are here are born in this country, and for them this country is more than, is more valuable to them than their own countries back home. So, through volunteering I definitely believe there are a lot of people who develop a sense of ownership, not really ownership, but personal connection with this country,” Sajid said.



Sajid said that being a part of a close community is rewarding for young people and, through volunteering and social enterprise, his charity hopes to create a positive impact on society.

Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/life-style/art-and-culture/2013/07/03/Charity-groups-say-volunteering-on-the-rise-in-Qatar.html

Abdulrahman Sajid & Active Citizen Summit 2012 for MENA

In October 2012, the American Council of Young Political Leaders organized a 10 days long conference that brought 50 youth leaders from 18 different countries across Middle East and North Africa.  An amazing experience it was that included first days of workshops on different key issues in different communities, then an internship opportunity in San Francisco, Utah and Raleigh NC.  In the end, the participants had to write an op-ed on the projects that they want to implement in order to bring a positive change back in their countries.

The workshops were based on several topics from Women Empowerment to Unemployment and youth Organization/Mobilization.  It brought 50 young, motivated leaders from all over the MENA region to not only showcase their abilities, but also to connect with each other's communities and help each other in a way or another.

The internships were based on political campaigning for presidential election campaigns.  The delegates were sent in groups to three different places which were San Francisco, Utah and Raleigh, North Carolina.  As an international intern at North Carolina Republican Party Campaign offices, it was amazing to meet young and old people and see them volunteering to get votes for the candidate they want to be elected.

The last but not the least, when it came to the end of the conference, all the delegates had to present their projects to be implemented in their home countries.  Projects from making car-pooling for women in Saudi Arabia, to helping children in Kenya to empower women in Libya and Morocco were presented.

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir2mET5lo24


This is what ACYPL said before the launch of the conference:

ACYPL is excited to announce that we have been selected by the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to conduct an Active Citizen Summit for 54 participants from the Middle East and North Africa, as well as three Global Change Fellows. The participating fellows will gather first in San Francisco for the summit itself, which will cover expectations and outcomes for the program as well as coaching the fellows in leadership training sessions and encouraging discussion of shared challenges and goals for the program. Included in the summit will be several prominent speakers, including executive officials at the state level, media professionals, and representatives of prominent non-profits.

At the conclusion of the summit, participants will be split into three groups, each of which will take part in professional fellowships in San Francisco, Utah, or North Carolina. During their fellowships, each fellow will join an organization, government agency, or company in order to gain an understanding of the American political system and its many moving parts. They will shadow staff members, conduct essential tasks, and attend meetings to this end.

At the conclusion of their fellowships, each of the fellows will gather in Washington, DC to report their experience and share the lessons they have learned over the course of the program. They will have the opportunity to explore DC, attend briefings to provide context on the impact of their program, and deliver their own remarks discussing the effect they believe the program has had, as well as laying the groundwork for how they will plan to implement relevant changes in their home countries. The summit will conclude with an as-yet undetermined capstone speaker, who will discuss positive political change with the fellows as a final take-away message for the program.

While we’ve conducted programs similar to the Active Citizen Summit in the past, we’re excited to have the opportunity to organize this unique and special program. In a period of rapidly changing developments in the relationships between the United States and the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, ACYPL is excited to play a part in helping to shape those relationships and emphasize the importance of mutual understanding and friendship. We firmly believe that citizen diplomacy is a key aspect of maintaining peace and security in the 21st century, and we look forward to receiving the fellows and beginning to forge those relationships this October.

Youth get Leadership Skills Sharpened

Youth present a business plan on the second day of the ‘Youth Change Everything’ conference.

DOHA: More than 100 high school and university students attended the two-day Youth Change Everything conference, which ended here yesterday. 

Organised by the Youth Company, a social enterprise for youth development, the conference aimed to develop leadership skills among youth through a series of interactive workshops, discussions, networking sessions and motivational talks.

Delegates were then separated in four workshops, where they had a chance to learn how to manage change in a changing environment, acquire skills of conflict management, emotional intelligence and get to know how to create intelligent organisations. 

The workshops were delivered by professional trainers including Erica C Chiusano, Cultural Attaché at the US Embassy in Doha, Munera Al Dosari, Founder and Marketing Director at G-LAB, Abraham Kamarck, Social Entrepreneur and Founder of www.Doha-Delivery.com, and Faissal Alhaithami, Social Media Specialist at Katara and Founder of Fansbridge.com. 

The first day finished with an Open Space, also known as ‘unconference’, where delegates raised questions related to sustainability.

“When we were developing the content for this conference, we tried to reflect on how the world has changed in the last years and which skills would be required from youth in the near future,” said Abdulrahman Sajid, Youth Leader at The Youth Company.

“It is a matter of fact that at the modern workplace you have to communicate with people from different countries and cultures, adapt to fast changing environment and pursue innovation. So we picked particular topics and formats for our workshops, discussions and exercises to prepare the youth not only to be effective managers, but first of all successful leaders and entrepreneurs,” Sajid said. 

The second day was occupied by a business challenge, where delegates were split into teams to design a product or project, which could solve sustainability issues. 

Guided by experienced mentors and young entrepreneurs, teams had a chance to go through all the steps of product development and writing of a business proposal, including the creation of mission and vision, market analysis, defining target audiences, potential investments in terms of finance and human resources. 

During the second day participants also learned the methodology of Business Model Canvas Generation, and applied it on their projects to understand potential customers, distribution channels, partners, revenue streams, costs, and core value proposition. In the end of the day all the teams presented their ideas, which will be published in The Youth Company online book and business newspapers in Qatar with to attract potential investors. 

“Youth Change Everything was delivered for the first time a year ago and attracted a lot of enthusiastic youth. The success of the second edition inspired us to make Youth Change Everything a bi-annual initiative,” said Aya Abu Issa, Acting Chief Executive Officer of The Youth Company.

Source: http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/234742-youth-get-leadership-skills-sharpened.html