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Young people from Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children became radio interviewers for the day when they quizzed Expo 2020 Dubai’s Youth Connect team live on air during a creative workshop.
The visit was part of ongoing engagement with young people across the region by Expo 2020 Dubai and featured a wide variety of activities, including the live interview by children on Pearl FM, the first radio channel for children and young people in the region.
During the workshop, the 30 children, aged between seven and 12, heard from Youth Connect how Expo 2020 Dubai will be a festival of creativity and innovation, where everyone can share ideas and work together to shape the future.
The Youth Connect team also took the children on a journey exploring the evolution of World Expos and their impact on humanity, as well as sharing the story of the ring that was found at a 4,000-year-old archaeological site in the desert and became the inspiration for the Expo 2020 Dubai logo. The ring symbolises connections that bring humanity together as well as reflects the UAE’s heritage.
As part of the visit, a short play called ‘Vision’, which was about the history of Dubai and its journey to Expo 2020 Dubai, was also performed. This was followed by creative Expo-themed workshops, including arts and crafts inspired by the logo, as well as pottery, fashion design, music, and theatre and cinematography.
Alya Al-Ali, Expo 2020 Dubai’s 24-year-old Director of Youth Connect, said: “We were delighted to visit the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children and were inspired by the remarkable energy and creativity of the children.
“Young people are at the heart of our theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, as they are the future, and are helping to shape Expo 2020 Dubai through events such as this. In alignment with the UAE’s National Youth Agenda, we are committed to placing youth at the heart of our vision and planning.
“Together, we are on a journey to what will be an exceptional and unforgettable experience not just for the UAE but for millions of people from around the world.”
The aim of Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children is to enrich the cultural lives of children in a safe, joyous and creative environment that draws on Emirati and Arab cultural heritage.
Ayesha Juma, the Head of Programmes at Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, said: “Cooperation with Expo 2020 Dubai through their Youth Connect initiative is part of our overall aim to provide our children with a chance to interact with the creative minds behind, and to raise awareness of, Expo 2020 Dubai.
“By connecting their artwork to key national events that imbue social and human values, it bolsters their national pride and increases their knowledge. They are also learning about the importance of hosting a World Expo that reflects Dubai's progress and support of global human values.”
The visit is just one of many different initiatives that the Youth Connect team is running to ensure the nation’s young people are a core part of the journey to Expo in 2020 and beyond, as outlined by Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau.
Examples include road shows to engage with school children, ‘Youth Labs’ where young people are empowered to help shape a particular aspect of the Expo by airing their opinions and visits by students to the Expo site in Dubai South, where they learn more about the global destination and see progress at the site for themselves.
However, the aspiration for Youth Connect does not end with Expo 2020. Al-Ali’s team is planning to ensure sustained and lasting impacts well beyond 2021.
To find out more about what Expo 2020 Dubai has to offer young people and to join the Expo journey up to, during, and after 2020-21, email youth@expo2020.ae.
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