The UAE Government’s Strategy for its Youth to be Future-Ready
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The UAE Government’s Strategy for its Youth to be Future-Ready
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By, Naam Chakravorty, Botho’s Gulf Lead, and Gerald Kilimo, Botho Intern
April 25, 2023
The growing acceptance of digitization and artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace is one of the key factors shaping the future of work. However, this phenomenon has raised concerns regarding job loss, unrealistic expectations around productivity, and the necessity for workers to keep up with the changing digital landscape in workplaces all over the world. The future of work is an even more challenging concept in emerging economies, where it is influenced by factors like the nation's economic development, demographic changes, and mechanisms relating to technological advancements/adaptation.
While AI and automation can bring many benefits, they are unlikely to replace human workers entirely. This is because, despite its proficiency at doing specific tasks with high degrees of accuracy, AI lacks the adaptability and versatility of human intellect and is incapable of manifesting emotional intelligence, intuition, or creativity. However, it is crucial for governments, particularly those in emerging markets, to be mindful of the possible effects of these technologies on the nature of work in the future. Moreover, to take steps to ensure that their citizens, especially the youth, are prepared to thrive in a job market that is continuously evolving. The UAE government has been actively addressing this in the past few years.
According to a recent report, AI is predicted to boost the UAE's GDP by an additional $96 billion by 2030, which might result in the creation of up to 182,000 new jobs. However, this report also notes the risk of automation in some job roles, particularly those involving repetitive duties like clerical and administrative work. Overall, it is challenging to foresee the precise influence of AI on the labor market, but it is obvious that it will continue to change the job market in the UAE and around the world. Thus, the nation has acknowledged the need to prepare its youth for the rapidly changing landscape of work.
To do this, the UAE has carried out a number of projects that have gained recognition among youth across the region, who voted it as the best country to live in and the one they would most like their own to aspire to, according to the 2020 Arab Youth Survey. One relevant example is the UAE government’s efforts to involve young people in decision-making processes. For instance, the UAE formed the Federal Youth Authority to promote youth involvement in vital sectors (technology, energy, tourism, etc.), and the Cabinet recently nominated the nation's first-ever youth minister, who is in charge of managing youth-related policies and activities.
The UAE's focus on youth development has also translated into tangible outcomes. Young adults make up 38% of the total employees in the Ministry of Education and comprise 26% of the total leaders of the country. Furthermore, the youth constitute approximately 69% of the number of national employees working as education and technology attachés outside the country. These outcomes have been possible because of the UAE’s efforts on inculcating professional best practices in their youth program such as (1) critical and situational thinking; (2) practical, cross-cultural learning; and (3) ongoing, empathic attention to the youth.
Critical and situational thinking: The ability to think critically and analyze problems from multiple perspectives is one of the most essential skills for young people joining the workforce. This includes problem-solving skills, the ability to challenge assumptions, and the process of reaching defensible conclusions.
The UAE government has been successful in implementing several programs that focus on developing such skills in the youth. A noteworthy example is the Youth Circles initiative, a series of interactive workshops that bring together young people and decision-makers to discuss and develop solutions to pressing global issues. The program provides young people with an opportunity to express their opinions and engage in constructive dialogue and has benefited over 25,000 members so far. Another example is Future Scientists, a training and internship program for high school students interested in pursuing scientific research in the biomedical field. The program encourages students to contribute to scientific innovation in the UAE by conducting experiments and developing sustainable solutions to real-world challenges.
Practical, cross-cultural learning: Youth development programs should provide practical learning experiences that help young people gain industry-specific knowledge and skills. This could involve internships, apprenticeships, and mentorship programs. Additionally, exposure to different cultures and international experiences can broaden young people's horizons and help them develop a global mindset.
A case in point here would be the UAE Youth Ambassadors program that selects young people to represent the UAE in international events and forums, including the upcoming COP28. The program provides training in public speaking, diplomacy, and leadership, helping the youth develop critical thinking and communication skills. Another example is the International Youth Exchange Program which allows young people from the UAE to travel to different countries and participate in cultural exchange programs. These initiatives are a testament to the UAE's work to advance tolerance and cross-cultural understanding, which is helping the country establish itself as a Middle Eastern center for diversity and cultural exchange.
Ongoing, empathic attention to the youth: The UAE recognizes that it is important to create a safe and inclusive environment that values the diverse perspectives and experiences of young people and has implemented several initiatives to that effect.
The UAE Youth Councils, for example, represent youth within the government by giving them a vital role in decision-making and the development of policies and programs in a few domains, including but not limited to corporate, global, and local policies. The council members are selected from various age groups and backgrounds to ensure diverse representation, and they meet regularly to discuss and resolve current issues facing the country/region. Another noteworthy program is the 100 Mentors program, which conducts group mentoring by holding orientation sessions for young people all year long across the nation. By creating direct connections with professional mentors with a track record of success in their industries, the initiative seeks to create a generation of leaders in all fields.
These initiatives demonstrate the UAE government's commitment to developing youth programs that address the challenges and opportunities of the future of work. Through its youth-led initiatives, youth councils, and leadership development programs, the country presents a powerful example for emerging markets building their own youth agendas in the face of an ever-increasing digitization of the workplace.
Naam Chakravorty is the Gulf Lead and Gerald Kilimo an Intern at Botho Emerging Markets Group