Arab Youth Centre launches New Economy Programme to train 400 young Arabs in tech and business

The Arab Youth Centre has introduced a new programme titled the New Economy Programme 2026, aiming to train 400 young Arabs in the realms of technology, sustainability, and creativity. This initiative, a collaboration between the Arab Youth Centre (AYC) and the New Economy Academy (NEA), commenced on Tuesday in Dubai with the acceptance of the first cohort of 100 participants.

The programme is delivered entirely online in Arabic and consists of four cohorts throughout the month, gathering young men and women from across the Arab world to discuss significant transformations in labor markets and entrepreneurship.

The four core themes of the New Economy Programme are the foundations of the new economy - encompassing artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital infrastructure; the impact of technology on industries and labor markets, such as platform and gig economies; the green and circular economies alongside AI governance; and the experience and creative economies, which delve into how culture and creative content generate economic value.

Each cohort dedicates eight hours of training over two days. Upon completing the programme, participants receive electronic certificates jointly issued by the AYC and NEA. Fatima Al Hallami, the Executive Director of the AYC, emphasized the importance of investing in the knowledge of young people to build more diverse and competitive Arab economies.

She stated that through their partnership with NEA, they aim to help young Arabs understand economic changes, make informed career decisions, and establish businesses that meet their community’s needs. By aligning their ambitions with development priorities, the programme seeks to enhance their contribution to sustainable economic growth.

The NEA will provide the programme through expert trainers and specialists, integrating economic concepts with practical discussions on their applications across various industries and markets. This initiative aligns with a broader effort across the Arab world to prepare younger generations for rapidly evolving labor markets, driven by digitalization, sustainability imperatives, and the increasing economic significance of the creative industries.