The Hope Initiative to Support Outstanding Arab Youth in the Field of Media aims to encourage creativity and hone the skills of exceptional media students across the Arab world, in alignment with the vision of media expert Dr. Amal Molhem and through A.M Media. This is achieved by selecting a group of outstanding Arab students annually and introducing them to various media schools. Field visits to the most prominent media institutions at the Arab and global levels are organized, along with coordinating workshops to enhance their experience and broaden their horizons.
Third Edition - 2024
The training program for students of the Hope Initiative to Support Outstanding Arab Youth in the Field of Media was successfully conducted in the United Arab Emirates from April 21 to 28, organized by A.M Media. The program included important and diverse workshops led by a group of distinguished media professionals, as well as visits to major leading media institutions in the UAE, such as the Blink Platform, Al Arabiya Channel, Al-Mashhad Channel and Platform, the Dubai Press Club, the Creative Media Authority, and Image Nation.
The training program also included visits to key tourist attractions in the UAE, such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, the Abrahamic Family House, and the Louvre Museum.
At the end of the program, a ceremony was held to honor the students of the initiative with a dinner at the Bab Al Qasr Hotel in the capital, Abu Dhabi, where five students won a master’s scholarship from the American University. Completion certificates for the training program were distributed to all students in the presence of a group of artistic and media figures, as well as important community personalities. This annual initiative is considered an important step toward supporting and encouraging Arab youth to develop their skills in the field of media and has received widespread attention and praise from the public.
Announcement of the Launch of the Third Edition of the Hope Initiative
The launch of the third edition of the Hope Initiative to Support Outstanding Arab Youth in the Field of Media was announced during the Global Media Congress held in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, on November 14, 2023, with distinguished media and community presence.
Second Edition - 2023
The first day featured practical and interactive activities within leading institutions in the Emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. From the Abu Dhabi Creative Center/Ministry of Culture and Youth to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), under the supervision and interest of His Excellency Mohamed Jalal Al Raisi, the Director-General of the agency, media students attended a training program titled “The Journey of News Reporting at WAM.” This unique experience provided students with a distinctive space for knowledge.
The initiative continued its exceptional days with a visit to the Dubai Press Club, where they learned about the operational mechanisms in place. The program included workshops featuring journalist Philip Riachi, Director of Radio Al-Rabia, and media figure Wael Habib, known for his distinctive contributions in voiceover, discussing optimal voice usage and how to integrate social media with artificial intelligence and media.
During a visit to Al Sharq TV, Editor-in-Chief of Correspondents, Alaa Ibrahim, and journalist Sahar Al-Mizari provided insights into the institution and the standards adopted for preparing reports at Al Sharq TV. Additionally, a visit to Al-Mashhad Channel and Platform welcomed by the channel’s Director, Tony Khalifa, included an introductory tour of the channel’s departments to familiarize the students with the latest broadcasting equipment and how to operate it.
The Hope Initiative to Support Outstanding Arab Youth in the Field of Media
On its final day, the initiative offered a significant experience delivered with expertise and mastery through an interactive dialogue session on how to conduct a successful conversation. This session, which may have been the first of its kind, was led by media figure Dr. Amal Melhem alongside the journalist Neshan. They shared years of accumulated knowledge, complemented by the path of learning and acquired experience that the students began upon their arrival in the land of dreams, the UAE.
The initiative, which garnered extensive Arab attention, presented a different image that exceptionally reinforced the concept of “giving” as well as hope. During the closing ceremony, Dr. Muthanna Ghani Abdul Razzaq, President of the American University in the Emirates, announced his support for the initiative and for media figure Dr. Amal Melhem by granting a scholarship (Master’s degree) to the participating female students in the initiative, with plans to transform this step into an annual Arab scholarship in future editions of the initiative.
The “Hope” initiative is not a frivolous term or a passing phrase intended to create a proactive state; rather, it is an accurate description embedded within systematic media steps that formed a growing project, dedicated to providing a unique opportunity for Arab youth, always betting on the potential of individuals.
First Edition - 2022
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, received media figure Dr. Amal Melhem, accompanied by students from the Hope Initiative to Support Outstanding Arab Youth in the Field of Media. His Excellency welcomed Dr. Amal Melhem’s initiative, describing it as noble and recognizing her extensive experience in the media field.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan embodies significant human values and is a symbol of tolerance and coexistence, especially given his involvement in numerous long-standing humanitarian initiatives across various levels.
His Excellency listened with admiration as Dr. Amal Melhem discussed the details of the initiative she launched out of her passion and love for media. He encouraged all media professionals to share the same belief in young journalists and to support them in such fruitful ways. The students listened attentively to His Excellency’s advice and were extremely pleased. At the end of the visit, Dr. Amal Melhem and the supervising doctor expressed their deep gratitude to His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan for his warm welcome and reception.
During the visit, the trainees had the opportunity to attend workshops and discussion sessions. The visit began at the Emirates Journalists Association, where they were welcomed by Hussein Al-Munai, Vice President of the Board of Directors, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Mansoori, Chairman of the Media Training Committee at the association. The session, moderated by media figure Dr. Amal Molhem, was attended by several board members and a number of Emirati media students. They discussed the importance of developing university education and the requirements of the job market.
The group also visited the Emirates News Agency (WAM), where they met with His Excellency Ali Youssef Al-Saad, Deputy Director-General, and Mr. Faisal Barout, Director of the Central Editorial Department. A tour of the Dubai Press Club followed, attended by Dr. Maitha Buhmaid, Director of the Dubai Press Club, during which students learned about the various departments and participated in a discussion workshop led by Emirati journalist Khadija Al-Marzouqi, Editor-in-Chief of “Dubai Post.” She addressed the major transformations that the media sector has undergone in recent years.
Additionally, they visited the Creative Media Authority in Abu Dhabi to attend workshops covering key topics of interest to young media professionals. The trainees also visited Al Sharq TV in Dubai, where they toured the facility and learned about the latest equipment and technologies used in the studios.
أقيم حفل تكريم في إمارة دبي للطلبة المتميزين المشاركين في المبادرة بحضور عدد من الفنانين والإعلاميين الذين تركوا بصمة في الإعلام بدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة
