Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of the Arab Youth Center, the Center celebrated the graduation of 50 young men and women from 18 Arab countries at the conclusion of the eighth edition of the Young Arab Media Leaders Programme.

The graduates completed an intensive professional experience combining training, practical application and meetings with media industry leaders and experts, aimed at preparing a generation of young professionals capable of keeping pace with the rapid transformations taking place in the media industry and contributing to its development.

The graduation ceremony was held at Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department and Vice President of the Arab Youth Center; H.E. Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority; and H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Vice President of the Arab Youth Center.

H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi affirmed that investing in young people is an investment in the future of nations, and that empowering them with knowledge, skills and confidence strengthens their ability to contribute to development and lead change.

During his address, His Excellency expressed his gratitude and appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his continued support and guidance, which reinforce the Center’s role in nurturing Arab talent and developing its capabilities.

His Excellency stated that the programme reflects the Center’s commitment to preparing young media professionals equipped with modern tools and a strong sense of responsibility for shaping public awareness, fostering dialogue and expressing the aspirations and achievements of Arab societies.

He added: “Technologies and tools continue to evolve, but credibility and professional responsibility remain the foundation of public trust. True media leadership is measured by the value of the knowledge a media professional provides and the positive impact they make on their community. It also requires the ability to make decisions and take responsibility for them.”

His Excellency called on graduates to apply their knowledge and skills to produce responsible and impactful content, expressing his hope that the connections established during the programme would continue to develop into an Arab network of media talent capable of collaborating, exchanging knowledge and sharing the stories of their communities with the world.

Concluding his address with a message to the graduates, His Excellency said: “The future is not shaped merely by those who keep pace with change, but by those who possess the knowledge and courage to lead it. Be driven by a meaningful mission, create a lasting impact and become a voice that reflects the aspirations of your communities.”

Throughout the eighth edition, participants undertook a professional development programme addressing the transformations shaping the media industry, particularly the use of artificial intelligence tools and digital technologies, the development of content creation and storytelling techniques, information verification and building public trust.

Participating media and academic institutions, along with digital platforms, helped translate these themes into an integrated training experience.

Sessions delivered by the New Media Academy, Thomson Reuters and IMI Academy focused on responsible storytelling, fact-checking and the use of artificial intelligence in content creation. Meanwhile, sessions by Al Mashhad and blinx focused on mobile journalism, digital storytelling and emergency news coverage.

The Derayah platform provided training in public speaking and speech development, while the National Network Communications (NNC) delivered workshops on public relations agency operations and media relations, alongside lectures and workshops presented by Ajman University and TikTok.

The programme was further enriched by meetings with the National Media Authority and the UAE Government Media Office, as well as media leaders from CNN Arabic and Alfan Group. A session organised by the Abu Dhabi Press Club as part of the Abu Dhabi Media Office’s participation also provided opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge and gain insights into diverse media practices and professional experiences.

The eighth edition placed particular emphasis on the applications of artificial intelligence in media, exploring opportunities to enhance content development and improve production efficiency while underscoring the importance of information verification and maintaining public trust.

In this context, the edition witnessed the launch of the Smart Media Agents Challenge, a joint initiative by the National Media Authority and the Arab Youth Center aimed at encouraging young people to develop innovative AI-powered solutions that address the needs of the media sector and enhance content quality and credibility.

This approach reflected the programme’s commitment to going beyond introducing participants to emerging technologies by encouraging them to consider how these tools can be applied practically and responsibly, and to develop ideas and initiatives that respond to the ongoing transformations in Arab media.

The graduation ceremony featured a video presentation titled “Eight Editions, an Ongoing Story”, highlighting the programme’s journey since its launch and its role in bringing together young Arab media talent with industry leaders, experts and specialised institutions through an experience centred on knowledge exchange, professional development and leadership skills.

The ceremony also included recognition of the eighth edition’s partners in appreciation of their contributions to enriching participants’ training and professional experience. Graduates were honoured and presented with certificates of completion.

The Center also honoured the mother of participant Rashid Rababaa, Jordan’s first blind media professional.

The Young Arab Media Leaders Programme, organised by the Arab Youth Center, continues to play a vital role in developing young Arab media talent and strengthening opportunities for engagement with specialised institutions and industry experts.

The programme is guided by a vision that recognises young people as partners in advancing the media sector and creating content that combines innovation with credibility while reflecting the realities and aspirations of Arab societies.