Rashid bin Humaid: We Are Working to Prepare Young Leaders Who Will Contribute to Advancing the Arab Media Industry

Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department and Vice President of the Arab Youth Center, affirmed that preparing young media leaders capable of developing content and introducing innovative approaches to media work is a priority for enhancing the competitiveness and presence of Arab media.

He said: “We are working to prepare young leaders who will contribute to advancing the Arab media industry by transforming their understanding of societal issues and mastery of modern technologies into valuable content and projects. We are committed to ensuring that the Center’s programmes open up professional pathways for young people, enabling them to contribute to the development of their institutions and create media experiences that reflect the needs and aspirations of their communities.”

His remarks came as he received participants in the eighth edition of the Young Arab Media Leaders Programme at his Majlis in Ajman. Organised by the Arab Youth Center, the programme brings together 50 young men and women from 18 Arab countries.

The meeting explored participants’ experiences throughout the programme, the knowledge and skills they had acquired, their professional aspirations, and their role in developing Arabic content and leveraging modern media tools to address issues affecting their communities.

Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi added: “The UAE provides Arab youth with opportunities to learn from diverse institutions and experts, while building professional relationships that broaden their career prospects and support their ambitions. We look forward to seeing participants translate these opportunities into projects that can be further developed, and to seeing each of them specialise in a field that provides them with solid knowledge and the ability to make a meaningful contribution. The strength of a media professional begins with a thorough understanding of the subject being addressed and is reflected in the accuracy of their reporting and their ability to earn the audience’s trust.”

He emphasised that the growing use of artificial intelligence tools in media production makes professional development and editorial responsibility increasingly important.

He explained: “The greater a media professional’s reach, the greater their responsibility for the impact of the content they produce. We want young people to harness the power of storytelling to explain issues, highlight initiatives, and present the experiences of our communities to the world with depth and fairness. We also expect them to share their knowledge with their peers and build on the connections established during the programme to develop lasting professional collaborations that lead to joint projects.”

The eighth edition of the programme combines practical training, meetings with leaders and experts, and visits to media institutions. It aims to develop professionals who possess both technical skills and a strong awareness of the responsibilities associated with media work.

The programme covers the use of artificial intelligence in research and production, fact-checking and source evaluation, storytelling, and responsible reporting on issues and crises. It culminates in the development of final media projects, which participants present before an evaluation panel.

The programme also witnessed the launch of the “Smart Media Agents Challenge” by H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, in collaboration with the Arab Youth Center.

The challenge invites participants to develop innovative solutions that address real needs within the media industry, while enhancing operational efficiency, content quality and credibility.

It provides an opportunity to transform ideas into prototypes with the potential for further development and practical implementation. The three best projects will be selected to receive awards and support, strengthening the connection between training, innovation and professional practice.