Youth Panel
Initiative description: creation of an annual youth panel to provide young people living in Qatar with the opportunity to learn about tournament preparations – from the inside – by visiting stadiums and infrastructure sites, and engaging directly with architects, engineers and leading experts involved in the tournament.
The Youth Panel was a training and development programme for students aged 14-21 from over 40 different nationalities, recruited from 30 different schools and universities across Qatar. The programme was delivered through 10 monthly thematic workshops in partnership with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and stakeholders. The Youth Panel ran between 2015 and 2020, and saw over 150 young people graduate.
The founding principle of the Youth Panel was to enable participants to gain leadership skills, insights into volunteerism, and training in social media and the delivery of events with planning of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ as the lens for the programme. Some of the graduating members went on to participate as volunteers during test events in the lead up to the tournament, and at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ itself.
Youth Panel activities
Members of the Youth Panel visited FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ stadiums and infrastructure sites, and enjoyed exclusive access to architects, engineers and leading experts involved in laying the foundations for the tournament. Panelists provided the SC with their unique views on the tournament and shared what they learned with their peers through school assemblies, presentations and social media. Over 15 stakeholders contributed to the delivery of this programme, including Josoor Institute, Aspire, Qatar Rail, Qatar Volunteers, Al Kass and Hamad International Airport.
The monthly workshops conducted each year covered themes such as art and culture, the value of charity, and leadership lessons from sport, as well as training in basic life support and first aid.
With an average of 45 members graduating each year, many of the alumni went on to become volunteers at events including stadium launches, the CAF Super Cup, 24th Arabian Gulf Cup and FIFA Club World Cup 2019™, as well as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Some of the alumni also became social media commentators and ambassadors for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
The final youth panel class graduated in 2020 bringing the total number of alumni to over 150. Overall, the programme helped cultivate a group of well-informed, enthusiastic young people interested in social development through sport. They represent the positive impact that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ has had on youth education and empowerment in Qatar as participants continue to use their new skills and experience to benefit their peers and communities for many years to come.
“I’ve learned a lot about how much effort and time it takes for the World Cup to be organized well. It has been extremely moving to see all the hard work. It helped me to gain a depth of knowledge and an understanding of the different components needed to run a smooth sporting event.”