Ideas for success

AN Arab youth leader has urged young people in Bahrain to believe in their abilities and to set themselves goals to achieve success.

He also urged companies in the kingdom to motivate their young staff and to help them develop new skills and address weaknesses.

The call came from the Bahrain chapter founder and deputy chairman Tariq Al Saffar of the Young Arab Leaders (YAL) - an independent pan-Arab organisation that aims to create a new generation of young leaders capable of actively participating in the region's development process and driving it into a new phase of growth.

He said: "Boys and girls must have faith in their educational background, skills and talents and believe that with extra hard work, effort and determination they can reach the sky.

"Bahraini youngsters should know what they are really good at and then enhance and develop those skills."

In order to become leaders in their professional fields youngsters have to set their minds on what they want to do with their careers.

"They must prove to their employers that they are up for the responsibilities given to them and that they can do anything they are asked to do," explained Mr Al Saffar.

"Knowing what you are good at is very important too.

"There are people who are good at dealing with customers, others are good at numbers or selling products - so you should choose your career according to your skills."

Mr Al Saffar said youngsters must also continue to have objectives and goals.

"The youth must also understand that they should give as much as they take. You can't take and take and never give back anything ... especially to your country," he said.

Young Arab Leaders is a network of the region's leaders from the business community, politics, academia, media, arts, culture and civil society who are committed to improving the state of the Arab world.

YAL recently held its third forum in Bahrain under the patronage of Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who also launched YAL Bahrain chapter in 2005 and whose chairman is Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The chapter consists of 19 registered members who have a track-record of achievements and positive change in their organisations and society.

The members are dedicated to promoting the principles of youth leadership and providing guidance and support to these young men and women to help them identify and fulfil their ambitions.

Mr Al Saffar added that YAL had several youth initiatives and programmes.

"One is the Leadership Trust which is a programme aimed at developing the skills of potential leaders through intellectually and physically intensive projects," he said.

"The initiative took place over a two-week period in the UK. The first week was on board a ship crossing the English Channel and the second week consisted of intensive projects and workshops."

Another programme adopted by YAL has a French connection.

He explained: "A group of 18 distinguished Bahraini students took part in the programme at the Sophia Antipolis park in France.

"It is considered to be the largest science park in Europe, housing prestigious international institutions, universities and research centres."