Doha – QatarDebate Center:

The QatarDebate Center concluded the activities of the Doha Forum: Youth Edition 2025, held at the Multaqa building in Education City, with the participation of a cohort of promising young leaders from 100 countries worldwide. These participants are set to play an active role in the main Doha Forum, contributing strategic solutions to global challenges and affirming their status as partners in decision-making.

This edition featured an interactive format that integrated intensive training with direct engagement led by experts, subsequently transitioning into roundtable sessions aimed at developing actionable outcomes. This methodology yielded a set of practical recommendations aligned with the forum’s thematic focus, “Consolidating Justice: From Promises to Tangible Reality.” These recommendations are intended for presentation to world leaders and policymakers at the main Doha Forum, thereby ensuring that youth perspectives are meaningfully incorporated into global dialogues and decision-making processes.

Following the conclusion of the Youth Edition, participants also took part in the Doha World Negotiation Day, organized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), aimed at instilling values of peace, diplomacy, and cooperation. The event was opened by Fatma Al Theyab, Head of Partnerships at the QatarDebate Center.

From dialogue to implementation

After several days of dialogue and drafting recommendations, the Youth Edition delegates transitioned to the international stage to participate in the main Doha Forum, where they presented their outputs to decision-makers and global experts. This takes place through a dedicated impact platform, where young participants translate their ideas into action plans and deliver their recommendations directly, enabling real-time engagement with their visions. Building on this momentum and to further strengthen the quality and effectiveness of their contributions, the youth delegates also took part in an advanced workshop organized in collaboration with UNITAR. The workshop is led by Professor Nicholas Coburn-Palo, Preceptor in Public Speaking at Harvard University, and is offered under the title “The Power of Context: Managing Negotiations and Mediation.”

On the sidelines of the main forum, a meeting was held between HE Dr.Melita GabriA?, Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, and Dr. Hayat A. Maarafi, Executive Director, QatarDebate Center. The meeting addressed prospects for cooperation with QatarDebate, strengthening ties between the Center and Slovenia, and exploring the organization of joint initiatives and future projects.

Bridging to the Global Stage

As part of the strategic linkage between the Youth Edition and the main event, intensive dialogue sessions were held. The first session, “The Intersection of Policy and Education: Ensuring Education for All,” in partnership with Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, explored strategies to formulate educational policies that promote equitable access for vulnerable populations.

The second session, “Global Forums Unpacked: Purpose, Challenges and the Path Forward,” highlighted the pivotal role of international forums and summits, such as the Doha Forum and Concordia, in addressing urgent global issues. The session discussed the phenomenon of “Forum Fatigue” and proposed practical pathways to translate theoretical discussions into tangible impact. Participants included Hanne LeCount, Executive Director of Concordia, and Maha Al Kuwari, General Manager of the Doha Forum. The discussion was moderated by Sylvie Maalouf, Program Manager, Policy Hub, at Qatar Foundation.

In addition to a critical session titled “The New Middle East Order: Implications for the Region’s Future,” in partnership with the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, examined regional dynamics and their implications for development and stability. Moderated by Moza Al-Hajri, an Ambassador of QatarDebate Center, the discussion featured Omar Rahman, Fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, and Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute.

Youth Edition Exhibition

On the sidelines of the Forum, an exhibition was held documenting the history of previous Youth Edition cohorts since the inaugural edition in 2018, showcasing how their roles and contributions have evolved within their respective countries. The exhibition highlighted several young Qatari figures, including Ahmed Al-Naimi, Mouza Al-Hajri, and Sarah Al-Maadeed, as well as Mohamed Abu Snaina from Libya and Syed Sadiq from Malaysia.

Sharing her thoughts, Aisha Al-Nesf, Head of Communications and Executive Affairs at the QatarDebate Center, said: “In this year’s Youth Edition, we were keen to offer social and cultural activities that foster interaction among participants and provide them with a deeper understanding of the Qatari experience. The program included visits to museums sponsored by Media City Qatar, as well as sightseeing trips to Sealine and other tourist sites. Furthermore, the Ministry of Sports and Youth facilitated attendance for the delegates at the Saudi Arabia vs. Oman match during the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 at Education City Stadium, providing them with a distinctive and immersive fan experience.”

The Youth Edition was supported by leading partner institutions that enriched the discussions and amplified youth voices globally. Strategic partners included the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and Media City Qatar, while knowledge partners included the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the Institute for Global Negotiation, and the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House). Session partnerships were provided by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs and Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, with translation support from The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).