A remarkable turning point of creativity and power of will as children participating in the 12th Sharjah Arab Children Forum, successfully aspired to harness their abilities to mold an optimistic outlook of their leadership goals and prominent novelties. The forum, organized by the Sharjah Children Centres, a subsidiary of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, taking place from March 28th until April 3rd 2016, took children during the last 2 days (Wednesday & Thursday) into an all-inclusive journey through time, culture, leadership and social responsibility programs.

The forum, held with the slogan “Hear us, We are the future”, is under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family affairs. Representatives from the children delegations participating at the 12th edition of the Sharjah Arab Children Forum (SACF) also have complimented the prestigious level of the forum’s programmes and workshop, which have been devised to develop young people’s sense of innovation and creativity in order that they can evolve into the leaders of the future.

Educational programs and awareness workshops opened children’s young minds into a new portal of reality, the art of giving, volunteerism, achieving goals and creating a colorful future as a leading and innovative nation, united. The leadership program, which kick-started on Wednesday March 30th 2016, enabled Arab children to connect with one another through numerous workshops and activities. Each activity introduced a

unique component which defined “Leadership”, and enabled each group of children to work together in unleashing new sets of abilities conquering over their fears of linguistic, cultural and social barriers.

Reem BinKaram, Director of Sharjah Children Centres, organisers of SACF 2016, said: “The constant shift of cultures and societies across the MENA region has made it very difficult for children to utilize their full potential in shaping their futures as individuals who will play a big role in changing our world. These children are the future generations that we look forward to and are proud of, and hold the outmost hope that they will in fact be successful leaders across the Arab nation. Our “Leadership program” opens a new realm for children to enjoy and learn the processes of leadership, rather than just discovering them.”

BinKaram added: “We were truly inspired by the wonders and abilities these children possessed when they first joined the forum, and today I can safely express my outmost pride in the successful change witnessed through our leadership program based on the cross-culture interaction witnessed, and their conquer of fear in breaking language and culture barriers for the sole of working together, leading together towards one goal as one nation.”

The “Leadership program” hosted 3-day workshop which took place from Wednesday March 30th until Saturday April 2nd 2016, and featured multiple hands-on activities, workshops and seminars as well as artistic sessions enabling children to explore the vast possibilities of how to become leaders. The program was in collaboration with multiple strategic partners such as SAP, GADHA Initiatives, Molly Manners and a teacher from the American School of Dubai, who volunteered to teach and inspire children through the program.

Children participating at the forum from 11 countries across MENA, were also taken to a journey through time as they explored together the wonders and cultures of multiple Arab nations, as well as a thrilling “Treasure Hunt” activity. The “Cultural Day” and “Treasure Hunt” programs expanded children’s imaginations and knowledge, unlocking archaeological and cultural insights and realizing multiple factors which unite their nations together.

Children were distributed among 5 groups, each group comprising of multi-national Arab children, and worked together to compete with one another through an exciting “Treasure Hunt” program. The program had children visiting three of Sharjah’s most iconic museums, Sharjah Archaeology Museum, Sharjah Science Museum and the Sharjah Aquarium. The program enabled children to register team-work skills, using creativity to find certain objects and treasures and finally acquiring cultural, historic andaquatic information about Sharjah and the UAE.

Noura Mohammed Mubarak, Deputy Head of Supreme Organizing Committee for the Sharjah Arab Children Forum: “We carefully considered all the core components which constituted what leaders and innovators are. Based on the results, Arab children were leaders in theories of team work, helping one another understand the task at hand and joined forces together towards one goal which is to be the winning group during the program. They also used innovative and intellectual methods to excavate the treasures which we’ve hidden for them in various locations in each museum.”

The “Treasure Hunt” event took place yesterday (Thursday), and concluded with a remarkable evening of music and entertainment, as Arab children participating at the forum were among the honorable guests attending the final episode of Sharjah TV’s hit and most beloved talent show, “Munshid Al Sharjah”. The talent show is organized, produced and broadcasted by Sharjah TV, and had its final episode broadcasted live from the Sharjah University City Hall. The event had the honorable attendance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, whom he was greeted with loud cheers and happiness from the Arab children participating at the forum, chanting “Shokran Baba Sultan” (Thank you our father Sultan). The event was concluded with His Highness greeting all the participants and delegations, taking pride in their pursuit for success as leaders and innovators.

BinKaram concluded: “We were truly honored to have His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi welcome and greet our pupils, a symbolic memory which they will carry forward as they were greeted by one of the most remarkable and highly-respected leader in the world. We’ve come a long way since the beginning of the forum, and it has become evident that children participating at the forum have progressively

begun wearing a new set of colors of governance, social responsibility, ambition and inspiration.”

The 12th Sharjah Arab Children Forum hosts more than 120 Arab Children from 11 countries across the Middle East and North Africa.