Not every city is made of stone and steel; some are built first in the hearts before they appear on maps.
Youth City 2030 is one such rarity – born from an idea, nurtured by a vision and brought to life through the passion and dreams of young Bahrainis.
When His Majesty King Hamad visited Youth City 2030 his presence was not just symbolic; it was historic. He walked among the children, smiling at their aspirations, listening to their ideas and affirming that they were not on the margins of the nation, but at its very core. It was a moment that broke barriers and showed that leadership is not about distance, but about closeness and listening.
This royal vision was carried forward by His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. For him, youth is not a slogan, it is a cause. The Youth City, launched 14 years ago, is one of the fruits of his belief that nation-building begins with developing people. Over the years, this event has become a factory of creativity and a bridge that carries young people from dream to reality.
Youth Affairs Minister Rawan Tawfiqi and her team translated this vision into reality. With programmes designed to inspire, empower and equip, platforms were created for young Bahrainis to explore, innovate and grow. Here, royal vision, leadership support and institutional commitment converged to present Bahrain with a pioneering model of investing in its young generations.
At Youth City 2030 I saw faces full of hope, energy brimming with passion and projects that reflected maturity of thought and a genuine desire to create. It was clear to me that this was not simply a venue for summer activities, but a living laboratory for tomorrow’s leaders – a school that cultivates confidence, belonging and national pride.
The Youth City’s impact has reached beyond the youth to their families. The initiative offered safe, purposeful and enriching alternatives, steering young people away from harmful distractions and toward constructive engagement.
The diversity and quality of its programmes were impressive. From leadership, management and self-confidence training to courses in artificial intelligence, innovation, media, theatre and poetry – even leadership and public-speaking workshops tailored for people of determination. It was a clear reflection of a holistic vision that sees youth not just as participants, but as leaders in the making.
Undoubtedly, Youth City has become a national landmark for creating opportunities and transforming ideas into tangible achievements. It provides hands-on training, professional development and skills-building – opening doors for Bahraini youth to enter the job market with confidence and to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development journey.
I hope that the ministry will consider expanding participation in the coming years, as the benefits are too great to overlook. Moreover, forming a governing board for Youth City could give it even greater strength and momentum to advance its sustainable goals.
Blessed are the youth of Bahrain, and blessed are the efforts that invest in their future.
&uuid=(email))