Friday 26 / April / 2024
Muscat: More than one-third of the participants who have attended the planning and development phases for Oman Vision 2040 is youth, indicating the government’s keenness to include the next generation in planning the growth of the Sultanate.
On the occasion of Omani Youth Day, 26 October, which was established under Royal Orders issued by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, it was revealed by the Supreme Council of Planning that nearly 35 to 40 percent of the 41,000 participants who have contributed to the Oman Vision 2040 development phases were youth.
Oman 2040 Project Coordinator Abdul Majid Al Salti said, “The youth segment accounts for a large part of the participants in developing Oman Vision 2040 since its inception. They are the group that Omani society is relying on in the present and the future for progress, growth and prosperity. They will see the implementation of the vision through its upcoming phases.
“The role of the youth in Oman 2040 reflects the importance of developing their skills and knowledge for the benefit of the country, working side by side with the public and private sector, contributing creative ideas to national projects and initiatives to boost the country economically and socially, acting as worthy representatives of Oman in international and local arenas, assuming the responsibilities falling to them, committing to their civic duty toward the country and society, keeping up with the latest technological developments, 4IR updates and other topics of the future, developing and nurturing the skills required for the future, and implementing initiatives that serve Omani society and their young peers,” he added.
Since the launch of the preparatory phases of Oman Vision 2040, Omani youth have been fundamental and active partners across all phases, recognising the importance of their participation in achieving the Vision and leaving their mark on each phase. The methodology for developing the Vision in all its components and phases was founded on a participatory approach. Thus, it firstly guaranteed the active participation of all constituents of Omani society, with the involvement of its different segments. This came in response to the Royal Directives of His Majesty the Sultan to develop the vision with mastery and high precision amidst broad societal consensus and with the participation of all segments of society.
Omani youth have had a marked presence since the earliest steps of launching Oman Vision on its course across all phases, starting with the preparation and diagnosis phase of the current status, identification of the key issues, through to the declaration of the initial document of Oman Vision 2040 at the National Conference that was launched in January of this year. Some 400 male and female youths from all governorates participated in the Oman 2040 Youth Platform, which was one of the main events accompanying the organisation of National Conference and is still ongoing with the projects and ideas of Oman’s youth.
Youth participation in all vision development phases accounted for 35-40 per cent of the total of 41,000 participants. Muhamad bin Rashid Al Balushi, a participant in the vision development phases, noted: “The vision aims to build a roadmap that will guide Oman in its development over the next twenty years. The vision looks at the bigger picture and achieves the aspirations for socio-economic growth. Based on the above, youth participation was the most integral part in formulating the vision because they are the makers of the future.
“Consequently, a set of measures was used to involve a broad group of youth in all vision development themes. The Future Foresight Forum, the scenarios workshop and the National Conference saw wide-scale participation from Omani youth, reflected in their attendance and partaking in the events. Moreover, the virtual labs directly aimed to engage the youth sector to be involved and express themselves on future directions in Oman,” he added.
“The results of these initiatives constituted inputs in the final draft of the vision,” added Muhamad Al Balushi. “It is worth noting that one of the primary goals of the virtual labs was to build a larger follower base on social media platforms which mainly consist of youth. Finally, the principal purpose of all these initiatives was to encourage youth participation, recognise them as key partners in the development of the vision, and foster positive enthusiasm toward participating in developing the vision.”
The bright minds and aspirations of Omani youth are a source of continuing pride as valued participants in the journey of Oman Vision 2040. They are the energy of the present and leaders of the future. Across generations, the country is moving forward with confidence.
