Yerevan, Abdulla Khalifa Al Rumaihi, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee in the Council of Representatives and head of Bahrain’s delegation, chaired the fifth session of the IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians.
During the session, he emphasised the importance of integrating modern technology into education to better equip young people for the job market, citing Bahrain’s forward-thinking initiatives, including the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa – UNESCO Prize, established in 2005, which supports the use of technology in education.
The conference discussed a key proposal from the Bahraini parliamentary delegation on the critical role of education in driving youth employment. The topic was chosen from several submissions by member countries after a vote by 55 states of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Al Rumaihi shared insights backed by international data, noting a global decline in youth unemployment to 13% in 2023, driven by post-pandemic economic growth. Ho
wever, he pointed out that this recovery has been uneven, with rising unemployment in regions such as East Asia, the Arab States, and Southeast Asia. This disparity highlights the need for more adaptable education systems that meet the evolving demands of the global workforce.
He further explained that technological advancements have shifted the nature of work, and many education systems have struggled to keep pace, resulting in gaps in workforce readiness. Al Rumaihi emphasised that targeted education and training programs are essential for creating job opportunities and addressing workforce shortages, which, in turn, will contribute to economic growth and youth employment.
MP Ali Hussain Al Shehabi, also contributed to the discussions by proposing practical solutions to better align education with job market needs. He suggested hosting an annual parliamentary meeting to assess educational progress, allowing nations to share successful strategies and provide support where needed.
He also highlighted the i
mportance of regular evaluations of education systems to ensure they meet labour market demands, calling for greater international cooperation through teacher training and exchange programs to prepare students for the skills needed in today’s economy.
Source: Bahrain News Agency
