In a strategic partnership with Citi Foundation, INJAZ Al-Arab launched its first Leadership Summit in celebration of fifteen years of impact across the MENA region.

The summit hosted a panel under the theme of “ The Power of the Partnership” and stimulated an open discussion between key stakeholders who vehicle the work of INJAZ in the region; the private sector, the board entity, chairmanship and global affiliation of JA Worldwide.The panel tackled the success of the partnership model of INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA over the past fifteen years and the key drivers that enriched the work of the network, taking into consideration the circumstantial challenges facing a region of true economic instability.

The panelists included Sheikha Hanadi Al Thani, INJAZ Al-Arab Chairwoman, Asheesh Advani, Global CEO of JA Worldwide and Karim Seifelddine Citi’s Public Affairs and Government Relations Head, Middle East and Africa – moderated by Ramzi Abdel Jaber, Chief Administrative Officer at Investcorp.

Akef Aqrabawi, CEO, INJAZ Al Arab, said “In the MENA region, we have enormous talent and will to become leaders and drive change in the world. At INJAZ Al-Arab’s annual competition, youth showcase their potential inspiring millions of others like them in the Arab world and awakening their entrepreneurial spirit. The key to unlocking this potential is building strategic partnerships with unique stakeholders in the region to create synergies that help nurture the younger generation.

Karim Seifeddine, Citi Foundation, said: “We are pleased to support an event of this magnitude and influence. For years Citi Foundation has engaged various stakeholder through partnerships and events where we can make a difference. INJAZ Al Arab’s leadership is an event where the potential of the young Arab world is showcased, and we see ourselves as enablers and facilitators of ideas that will shape the future of the Arab world. With this event, young leaders will get a chance to share their journey with their peers and inspire them to follow their dreams.”

INJAZ Al-Arab, an affiliate of JA Worldwide, has impacted since inception in 2004 more than 3.5 million youth in collaboration with more than 13 ministries of education, 27,000 schools’ engagements, 1,800 universities engagements, 88,000 volunteers and hundreds of private sector entities.