Expo 2020 Dubai unveils YouthConnect, the first in a long-lasting and wide-ranging series highly interactive forums designed by youth for youth. The inaugural event will take place on Saturday, November 14th, 2015.

This first interactive, full-day forum, part of a far wider programme to talk to the younger members of society, is open to all UAE residents (between the ages of 18-25). It will be a genuinely hands-on and immersive experience, providing participants with access to inspirational and keynote speakers chosen from the broadest range of professions; as well as, high achievers and leading organisations from widely different backgrounds. Attendees will be introduced to a host of hands-on participatory workshops, engaging exhibits, and areas for in-depth discussions and edutainment. Subjects covered by this years YouthConnect will include Business and Leadership; Start-ups and Entrepreneurship; Science and Engineering; Technology, Coding and Gaming; Arts and Culture; Innovation; Health and Lifestyle; and, of course, Employability.

From our earliest days conceiving Expo, says Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Director General of the Bureau Dubai Expo 2020 we were determined to put our youth at the heart of our plans. It is these young men and women who will be representing and leading our nation in the years to come. So it is important that they contribute to these events and decide what they want to see and do on the day.

YouthConnect has been planned in coordination with people from across the target age group. Furthermore, as their peers sign up for the event, they will be asked to design their own individual experience. Attendees will be able to select how they want to spend their time: joining specific workshops, listening and talking with global thought leaders, taking part in activities all designed to provide guests with a range of hands-on experiences that offer the opportunity to understand what working in a specific field might be like. They can dip in and out of events trying as many as possible to get a true and practical flavour of whats on offer. The event ends with night time activities featuring great food and a range of live entertainment.

Whilst this first YouthConnect event is sure to be highly enjoyable and interactive, it has a genuinely important purpose too. We know that we need to prepare our young for their professional lives and to ensure they are in the best possible shape to meet the challenges that lie ahead. In this event, as in all of the events to come, we are offering the chance to meet with and learn from others who have succeeded by self-belief and hard work. said Her Excellency. As our Expo theme proclaims to the world, we want to Connect Minds and Create the Future, and what better minds to connect with than the young?

To be a part of YouthConnect, visit www.youthconnect.expo2020dubai.ae or follow updates on the Expo 2020 Dubai Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, #YouthConnect. The annual forum has limited capacity so applicants are encouraged to register swiftly.