Teenagers in the UAE share their life challenges and future aspirations on International Youth Day 2025, presenting generous amounts of courage and ambition.
In the vibrant city of Dubai, young people face a myriad of challenges as they navigate their way through school, personal growth, and the rapidly evolving workforce. Among them are Timothy Joshua, a 23-year-old who has lived in Dubai since 2006, Ganit Rijolin, a 12-year-old Indian student, and Faith Micah Orona, a 15-year-old Filipino student.
For Timothy, the biggest challenge is maintaining emotional well-being in a world that demands nonstop productivity. He finds solace and support from the people closest to him, believing that those who aren't standing with him were never supporting him to begin with.
Ganit, on the other hand, faces pressure to conform to others' expectations. He values the freedom to pursue his passions and stays mentally strong by learning from his mistakes, staying calm, and listening to his elders.
Balancing academic stress with mental health is a common struggle for young people like Faith. She finds focus by keeping close to people who share her mindset, keeping busy with the things she loves, and reminding herself of the potential consequences of distractions.
The UAE government, recognising these challenges, has implemented comprehensive youth development initiatives. These include ambitious programs aimed at empowering young people socially and economically, family support programs, and specialized platforms that foster education, training, innovation, and leadership.
Dubai's family support initiative, for instance, provides financial assistance, housing loans, and remote work options for new mothers, contributing to stability and growth. The UAE also hosts regional centres and platforms like the Arab Youth Center, Arab Youth Hackathon, Arab Space Pioneers Program, and others that offer education, training, and leadership opportunities in scientific and diplomatic fields.
UAE leaders view young people as drivers of progress and innovation, reflecting a strong commitment to their empowerment and inclusion in nation-building. This commitment creates an environment where young people can overcome challenges by accessing educational resources, social support, and opportunities to lead and innovate locally and globally.
Christine Eunice Anglo, a 36-year-old Filipino expat and padel event coordinator, is a mother to Faith. Christine believes the best way to support children is to really hear them, listen to what excites them, what frustrates them, and what lights them up.
Faith dreams of becoming a nurse, combining knowledge with compassion to serve both physically and emotionally. She believes that real strength comes from within and that you have to find your own drive, especially when no one is watching.
Temirlan Aidarbekov, a 17-year-old Kyrgyz student and competitive padel player, also finds balance and clarity through sports. He experiences pressure to make life-changing decisions quickly but finds solace in the discipline and focus required in sports.
Janald Jose, Ganit's uncle and guardian, believes the most important things adults can give children are time, gratitude, and guidance, and hopes to pass on values such as fearing God, helping others, and being thankful.
These stories illustrate the resilience and determination of young people in the UAE, as they navigate the challenges of their generation and strive to make a difference in their communities.
- Timothy Joshua, despite living in a city with high expectations and pressure for nonstop productivity, finds comfort and support from his closest companions.
- Ganit Rijolin, a 12-year-old Indian student, manages the stress of conforming to others' expectations by learning from his mistakes, staying calm, and seeking advice from his elders.
- Balancing academic stress with maintaining mental health is a struggle shared by many young individuals, such as Faith Micah Orona.
- The UAE government has implemented diverse initiatives to support young people, including programs aimed at fostering education, training, innovation, and leadership.
- In the UAE's family support initiative, new mothers receive financial assistance, housing loans, and remote work options, contributing to a stable and growing family environment.
- UAE leaders recognize young people as crucial drivers of progress and innovation, shown in their commitment to their empowerment and inclusion in nation-building.
- Faith Micah Orona dreams of becoming a nurse, combining compassion with knowledge, and believes that her own inner strength will help her overcome challenges and achieve her goals, even when no one is watching.
