(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Education Above All (EAA) Foundation's Silatech programme has achieved its target of providing 5mn employment opportunities across the Arab region, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of EAA Foundation announced, today. HH Sheikha Moza was speaking at a high-level session hosted by EAA on the second day of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) 2025 at the Qatar National Convention Centre. The EAA Foundation Chairperson said:“In 2019, we made a pledge to secure employment opportunities for 5mn young men and women by blade-->

However, extraordinary circumstances arising from global and regional complexities prevented the full achievement of the goal within the set timeframe. Today, I am proud to announce that Silatech has surpassed its contractual commitments, reaching over 5mn beneficiaries.” Her Highness recalled that the idea of founding Silatech originated from the World Bank's 2007 Human Development Report, which warned that the Arab world would need to create 100 million jobs by blade-->

“From that reflection a nascent idea started forming in mind-an idea that soon matured and took shape into the founding of Silatech in 2008,” said HH Sheikha Moza.“In the first decade of this millennium, it became evident that the 15 to 29 age group, comprising nearly one-third of the Arab world's population, represented significant potential for development, while also posing economic and demographic challenges. I came to a realisation that deepened my early commitment to youth development and empowerment,” explained Her Highness.“I urge us not to limit our ambition to the milestone of 5mn beneficiaries. Let us renew the call for collective action to reduce unemployment rates, ultimately striving to bring them down to a level proportionate with the magnitude of the challenge. This is the very essence of investing meaningfully in our youth and future. Only then can we transform this group from an economic liability and burden into a demographic asset,” she blade-->

The session also explored how education can drive sustainable development and reduce inequality, with insights from Latifa al-Droubi, First Lady of Syria; Nehmat Aoun, First Lady of Lebanon; and Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of Nigeria. Al-Droubi said education was central to her country's reconstruction efforts and noted that despite conflict and widespread damage - including more than 2.5mn children out of school and roughly 8,000 schools damaged or destroyed, Syria remained committed to repairing facilities, expanding distance learning and drawing on international expertise to rebuild human capital. Aoun highlighted her country's School of Citizenship project to instil civic values in public and private schools in partnership with ministries, universities and UNESCO. She said the initiative strengthens students' practical and social skills such as teamwork, responsibility and leadership which she described as essential life skills for entering the workforce.
According to Tinubu, young people make up more than 60% of Nigeria's population of over 250mn, playing key roles in sectors such as education, fashion, film and agriculture. She outlined government efforts to expand digital innovation and technological education, including a national target for 70% digital empowerment by 2027 under the country's IT development agency. She also highlighted the Renewed Hope initiative, which has supported young people and low-income women especially young mothers in using technology to advance their small businesses.

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