Some of the participants of the Doha Youth Forum with HE Dr al-Hammadi, al-Muhannadi and UN officials. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed

The Doha Youth Forum on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice concluded yesterday with the presentation of the Doha Youth Forum Declaration, a set of recommendations that will be presented to the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, taking place in Doha next week.
The Doha Youth Forum was jointly organised by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development in co-operation with the Organising Committee for the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
About 150 participants worked together to come up with creative solutions to global issues on crime prevention and criminal justice. Their recommendations were presented at the closing ceremony.
In his keynote address, HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi said such forums provided an opportunity for strengthening ties, communication and co-operation among the world’s youth as well as getting to know the cultures, experiences and points of view of their peers regarding the building of their home nations.
“The progress of nations depends on the proper employment of their resources, especially human resources. As we meet with the youth from several countries and listen to their points of view and ideas for the future, we firmly believe that they represent the foundation of development,” he explained.
Saad al-Muhannadi, president of Qatar Foundation, said: “The forum realises its goal in raising a generation of educated youth, aware of the problems faced by our world, so they can be well-equipped to find the right solutions. The importance of this forum lies in the fact that young people are the leaders of today and tomorrow, and without their contributions, we cannot hope to develop our societies. Hence, it is crucial to sharpen their skills and enhance their knowledge so they can assume these roles.”
Dimitri Vlassis, executive secretary of the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, said the forum was only the beginning and that Doha was the point of departure and not the point of arrival.
“It is up to all of us to ensure that the appropriate follow-up is given to your work and your recommendations, and they do not remain a piece of paper that will be forgotten in a few months. I certainly would hope, and pledge, to work very hard from my side, together with my colleagues, to ensure that this does not happen.”
The event was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Major General Dr Abdullah Yusuf al-Maal, legal adviser to the Minister of  Interior and president of the Organising Committee for the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, as well as students from across Qatar’s educational institutions.