SESRIC organised a Training Session on “Integrating OIC Youth Strategy into the National Programmes in OIC Member Countries” in coordination with the General Secretariat of the OIC, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Chair of the Islamic Conference on Youth and Sports Ministers (ICYSM), on 25-26 November 2024 at SESRIC Headquarters in Ankara. The Session was organised in line with the Resolution of the 50^th Session of the Council of Foreign Affairs Minister (CFM) held on 29-30 August 2024 in Yaoundé, Republic of Cameroon.

The Training Session brought together 66 representatives from the Ministries of Youth in 33 OIC Member Countries, including representatives from the OIC General Secretariat (OIC GS) and 3 OIC institutions; namely, Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSA).

The Session commenced with opening remarks by H.E. Mrs. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK, Director General of SESRIC, H.E. Abdulaziz Abdulrahman ALMASAED, Deputy Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Atty. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Safa KOÇOĞLU, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports of Republic of Türkiye, and H. E. Nasser A. H. MAJALI, Secretary General of Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSA). In addition, H.E. Amb. Tarig Ali BAKHEET, Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs of the OIC GS and H.E. Mr. Taha AYHAN, President of ICYF addressed the training session with pre-recorded video messages.

In her address, H.E. SELÇUK expressed her thanks to the OIC General Secretariat as well as the implementing partners for their valuable efforts exerted for the organisation of the Training Session. Furthermore, she underscored that half of the OIC population comprises of youth, which is a great potential in driving progress and prosperity in their countries. Highlighting the lead role played by SESRIC in the development of the OIC Youth Strategy adopted in 2018, H.E. SELÇUK mentioned about the Centre’s efforts in the area of youth including collection of data, publishing technical reports submitted to the relevant OIC fora as well as organising capacity building activities geared towards youth empowerment and youth skills development.

The other remarks in the Opening Session appreciated the role of SESRIC and the collaborative efforts of OIC General Secretariat as well as the other OIC institutions exerted for implementing this timely Session. The remarks also underscored the importance of ensuring the sustainability of the work through regular intra-OIC meetings focused on experience sharing and capacity development in collaboration with relevant OIC Institutions and stakeholders.

The Working Sessions included presentations on the participating member countries’ efforts in youth empowerment in addition to relevant OIC Institutions’ initiatives and activities. Furthermore, the break-out group discussions gave the opportunity to the participants to better understand the existing priorities and challenges concerning youth of the OIC Member Countries and ways and means of tackling them. Finally, the Training Session provided a comprehensive understanding on how to integrate the OIC Youth Strategy into national action plans, programmes and policies of the countries.

In the afternoon of the second day, and with the facilitation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Republic of Türkiye, 2 field visits took place for the participants to a Youth Centre and the Traditional Sports Academy in Ankara. Along with acquiring valuable insights on the services and activities offered in those two institutions, the participants had the chance to experience traditional sports as part of the field visits.

The presentations of the training session are available at this link

Documents

• Activity Report (English) (Arabic) (French)

Photos