KHALEEJ TIMES, Wednesday, Jan 19, 2022 | Jamada Al-Aakhirah 16, 1443
Tatweer signs youth wellbeing programme with EMPWR
Emirates: The government-led Sharjah Capability Development
(Tatweer) and ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’-famed Ally Salama’s EMPWR have signed an
agreement to launch Wathba, a year-long mental wellbeing and leadership
development programme focused on youth.
Tatweer contributes to the progress and sustainable development of the Emirate
of Sharjah by empowering the youth. Its progressive, big-picture vision has
found a proponent in youth icon Ally Salama who, through his organisation EMPWR,
has been at the forefront of mental wellbeing advocacy in the Mena region. The
initiative, Wathba, will officially kick off on January 23, commencing Tatweer
and EMPWR’s twelve-month agreement.
The joint initiative will include 12 wellness workshops of one-hour duration
each, accessible to youth aged between 18-31 from corporates, universities,
schools, and government institutions in the Mena region. The one-on-one
programme will offer safe spaces for discussions and opportunities for
personalised learning. Wathba will choose a yearly cohort of 30 dynamic
individuals and provide all-encompassing training, empowering them to become the
best version of themselves.
The wellbeing programme will be accessible across the Mena region, starting with
the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, and the Saudi Arabia. In the first edition, EMPWR will be
supported by FloraMind, a US-based youth mental health organisation led by
Forbes 1000 honoree and World Economic Forum speaker, Mahmoud Khedr. FloraMind
and EMPWR have a region-wide partnership, which enables the implementation of
their culturally-relevant and clinically-approved curriculum.
“Tatweer has been invested in the power of the youth. We believe it’s our utmost
responsibility to ensure that youth have access to support networks, resources,
and an environment conducive to learning. With Wathba, we aim to do this at
scale, unlocking the potential of youth across the Mena region. We are glad to
be partnering with Ally Salama-led EMPWR, whose advocacy for mental wellbeing
and youth empowerment in the region has been revolutionary,” said Khalid Al
Nakhi, acting-director of Sharjah Capability Development (Tatweer).
Tatweer’s decision to launch a joint initiative draws upon EMPWR’s pioneering
stature in the mental wellbeing space. EMPWR has the distinction of launching
the region’s first mental health magazine, besides creating a well-moderated and
anonymous social platform tailored to an Arabic audience. It has invested years
of consistent efforts, resources, and knowledge into a portfolio of mental
wellbeing courses, workshops, motivational keynotes, support services like art
therapy, and knowledge-based podcasts.
EMPWR’s ‘Empathy Always Wins’ podcast hosts people to share their stories with
the community, empowering them to find acceptance without the fear of being
judged or shamed. As part of its drive to reach more people and raise greater
awareness, EMPWR is working on a mobile app while enhancing its podcasting
network. Key stakeholders, including government-led bodies like Tatweer, are
working with EMPWR in different capacities to achieve the shared goal of a
vibrant, youth-powered MENA.
“Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. So, their wellbeing and empowerment take
precedence in the transitional and tumultuous time that the world is currently
in. The partnership with a visionary like Tatweer is an ultimate validation of
EMPWR’s impact in the region. We will build on the promise of Wathba, partner
with more top-tier institutions and governing bodies, and strive for the
sustainable development and wellbeing of youth in the Mena,” said Salama,
Founder of EMPWR.
A social entrepreneur, motivational speaker and ex-pro athlete, Ally Salama is a
name that is synonymous with advocacy for mental wellbeing in the region. His
work through EMPWR, the 'Empathy Always Wins' podcast, and related activism saw
him feature in Forbes 30 under 30. Ally has drawn attention to taboo subjects
and stigmas, stimulating discussions around them — all while building an
accessible brand with an impact strategy rather than a business with an exit
strategy. As a result, the synergy between Tatweer and EMPWR has made waves in
the region, which has massive untapped youth potential.