School students from across the UAE have contributed to the global development agenda by engaging in a meaningful conversation about the future of urban living at Expo 2020 Dubai’s first ever Next Gen World Majlis.

Expo 2020’s World Majlis series is designed to address 21st century challenges through the long-established Emirati and Arab tradition of the majlis – a highly valued meeting space where people gather to gain different perspectives and share informed opinions that help shape decisions on subjects that matter to communities.

The inaugural youth-focused World Majlis, titled ‘CityZen 2030: Gen Z and the Future of Cities‘, saw 17 students, aged 14 to 17, come together to discuss opportunities and challenges related to the urban areas of tomorrow, and share ideas that could help improve cities for future generations.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said: “We are committed to placing young people at the centre of Expo 2020 Dubai. The future belongs to our youth, so it is crucial we provide platforms such as the Next Gen World Majlis to give them the opportunity to shape the next World Expo through their opinions, ideas and solutions.

“We look forward to hosting more Next Gen World Majlis sessions on the journey to 2020, empowering young people to build a lasting legacy that they can carry forward.”

Marjan Faraidooni, Senior Vice President – Legacy Development and Impact, Expo 2020 Dubai, who chaired the session, said: “The students who participated in the first Next Gen World Majlis showed impressive passion, awareness of global issues and ability to actively listen to each other. Hearing their insightful perspectives on what future cities, and the people in them, will be like was truly encouraging.

“These insights are especially important as we design District 2020, which will be one of the most connected and tech-enabled destinations, complemented with spaces that promote meaningful conversations post-Expo. Many of the students from Generation Z will eventually be the people we want to live in District 2020.”

While cities have catalysed human imagination and creativity, helping to accelerate social and economic progress, new challenges have arisen as the pace of urbanisation has increased. Participants at the Next Gen World Majlis were asked to consider whether cities still hold the key to humanity’s future.

Students from both public and private schools in the UAE discussed ways to provide improved housing, employment and mobility for ever-growing populations, while combatting challenges such as climate change and depleting resources through technology and innovation. Students also debated whether future urban spaces can continue to replicate the architectural beauty of historic and contemporary cities.

The students concluded that enhanced cultural exchanges, the integration of sustainable living, empowerment, self awareness and collaboration were all key elements needed to create prosperous future cities. Some students also suggested that the proper implementation of advanced technology would enhance human connectivity and interaction in future cities.

Rashed Abdukhalil, a Grade 10 student at Al Jazeera Al Hamra School in Ras Al Khaimah and a participant in the Next Gen World Majlis, said: “I’ve been inspired by the World Majlis because it showed that young people from different cultures and backgrounds can unite and have meaningful discussions about real things, including the future role of technology in our lives, which is infact a double-edged sword. Technolgy will continue to play a large part in how we communicate in society, and platforms like this World Majlis enable us to address such topics and achieve real results.

“The topics addressed in the session have peaked my interest and I’m motivated to do further research on all of them.”

Alya Hammadi, a Grade 12 student at Al Mawakeb School in Dubai and a participant in the Next Gen World Majlis, said: “This World Majlis has been such a valuable experience to connect with my peers. The idea of a Majlis is a great way for us to enhance our cooperation as we truly listen to each other and debate important issues, while still respecting each others’ varied opinions. I also believe the UAE is on the right path to building future cities, which makes me extremely proud.”

Part of Expo 2020 Dubai’s World Majlis initiative, the Next Gen World Majlis was hosted in collaboration with the Expo School Programme. The series aims to spark meaningful conversations between young people on themes that impact their future, and the ideas, questions and solutions that arise during these discussions will inform other World Majlis sessions.

In line with Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, and underpinned by its three key subthemes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, the World Majlis series brings together current and future thought leaders from a range of backgrounds for conversations that matter. The initiative aims to generate new perspectives and forge connections between people and ideas, which may not have otherwise occurred.

Expo 2020 Dubai has committed to hosting 50 World Majlis sessions in the lead-up to and during the event, including six that will be youth-led. The next World Majlis will be held in Shanghai, China on 14 December, 2018, on the sidelines of the first World Expo Forum.

To learn more about the initiative, and for additional information about previous World Majlis sessions, visit www.expo2020dubai.com/world-majlis.