WAM ABU DHABI: H.H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, the Family Development Foundation and the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood said the launch of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Award for Arab Youth last year was in recognition of the status of the youth the significant role they play in building the present and future.

The youth represent the real connection between our present and our future and are the best manifestation of the relation between what we do today and results we reap tomorrow, she noted in her speech which was read out at the 32nd International Arab Youth Conference on Friday in Petra, Jordan, by Ali Salim Al Kaabi, the chairman of the board of trustees of the Family Development Foundation and the chairman of the higher committee of the award. She also underscored the significance of conference describing it as a connection to the youth whom dreams and aspirations represent the best tool to reflect the real image of society.

In the speech, Sheikha Fatima said the launch of the Award last year at the 31st International Arab Children Congress in Abu Dhabi was in line with the process of development in the UAE and built on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the emirates to bolster social welfare and family cohesion and provide support to the youth in particular. "The award recognizes the efforts of the youth to contribute to building their community and drive its modernization while clinging to our heritage and authentic traditions," she added.

She thanked officials at Jordan's King Hussein Foundation, the National Center for Culture and Arts, the Award and the Family Development Foundation.

The 32nd International Arab Youth Conference was held under the Patronage of Queen Noor Al Hussein, head of the King Hussein Foundation.

Later at the Conference, Queen Noor Al Hussein, head of the King Hussein Foundation honored the winners of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Award for Arab Youth.

WAM/MMYS