Sheikha Fatima attends closing ceremony of International Award

H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union '&' Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, attended this evening the closing ceremony of the 2nd edition of the Fatima bint Mubarak International Award for Arab Youth. In a speech read on her behalf by Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahya, Sheikha Fatima described the youth as "the light of the future." Sheikha Fatima expressed the hope that 2014 will see peace prevailing in the whole world and that the UAE, under wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Member and Rulers of the Emirates, will make more achievements. She said the award came as a recognition of the achievements made by the Arab youth in different fields and in keeping with the path of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who appreciated the innovation and creativity of the youth. "It is no secret that today's progress comes with great challenges. This requires us to grant full opportunity to the youth, trust their abilities and help them understand the changes and cope with the challenges." Sheikha Fatima underlined the strategic partnerships the award had made with a number of prestigious organisations, including the Jordanian National Centre for Culture and Arts. She thanked Her Majesty Queen Nour Al Hassan of Jordan and the centre's team, as well as other sponsors of the award for their support. Sheikha Fatima congratulated winners of this year's award and urged them to act as role models to their fellow young people to excel. Present were Her Majesty Queen Nour Al Hassan of Jordan, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah '&' Chairwoman of the Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs, H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, wife of the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikha Latifa bint Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wife of Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Co-operation, Dr Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State and a number of guests. Sheikha Fatima honoured Queen Nour Al Hassan who was named by the award as the Personality of the Year in supporting youth issues. Sheikha Jawaher bin Mohamed Al Qasimi was honoured in the same category. Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan honoured winners of this year's award in different categories. Also honoured were the sponsors of the award.