Her Excellency Ms. Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain, affirmed that the “Hope Network” represents an international platform that brings together young people, policymakers, and experts from different countries and sectors, contributing to the exchange of expertise, the building of partnerships, and the transformation of ideas into impactful initiatives.
She noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain places investment in youth at the heart of its vision for the future by developing their skills and creating an enabling environment that empowers them to actively participate and create opportunities.
Her Excellency made the remarks during her opening speech at the “Hope Network – Brain Bar 2026” event, held in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, on the sidelines of the Brain Bar Festival, in the presence of Mr. Gergely P. Nagy, Founder of Brain Bar and a member of the Hope Network, along with a number of Their Excellencies and Honorable Members of the Network, as well as a group of participants.
Her Excellency highlighted that rapid technological developments have created unprecedented opportunities for communication and knowledge exchange, emphasizing the importance of leveraging these capabilities to enhance youth participation in issues that matter to their communities and broaden the horizons of cooperation available to them, thereby contributing to the development of ideas and initiatives with sustainable impact.
The Minister of Youth Affairs also emphasized the important role played by the Hope Network in connecting experiences and expertise from different countries and creating spaces for constructive dialogue and cross-border cooperation. Such efforts contribute to developing ideas and transforming them into implementable initiatives and partnerships capable of delivering tangible impact.
In this context, Her Excellency the Minister of Youth Affairs presented H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, with a case study prepared by the Hope Network on the UAE’s “Youth Spaces” initiative. The case study highlights the initiative’s experience in providing youth-led spaces that contribute to enhancing youth participation and engagement within their communities.
The event also featured a recorded address by H.E. Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in which he affirmed that youth in the GCC countries receive significant attention from Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC countries, may Allah protect and preserve them, in recognition of their pivotal role in development and in shaping the future.
He stressed the importance of continuing to develop tools that enable societies to harness the potential of young people and enhance their active participation.
H.E. Albudaiwi commended the objectives and mission of the Hope Network in promoting international cooperation, investing in youth potential, and involving young people in shaping visions and solutions for the future. He also highlighted the GCC countries’ efforts to develop a unified Gulf framework for youth affairs through programmes and initiatives that strengthen Gulf identity, develop capabilities, and expand youth participation across various development pathways.
The “Hope Network – Brain Bar 2026” event included an interactive session and workshops that brought together representatives of the Network’s member countries and a number of young people. The sessions featured discussions and presentations on programmes and initiatives planned for the next phase, as well as opportunities to strengthen cooperation, exchange experiences, and develop joint youth projects.
The event also featured a presentation by Hungary’s National Talent Centre, highlighting a number of experiences and practices in identifying and nurturing young talent, as well as mechanisms for recognizing, selecting, and developing talented individuals. These efforts contribute to providing broader opportunities for talented young people to develop their capabilities and utilize their potential across various fields.
