"A Window to the World": Kuwaiti Youth in Dialogue with Experience Makers
The Reconnaissance Center for Research and Studies concluded the first edition of the “Window to the World” youth program, which provided 20 young men and women with the opportunity for direct dialogue with eight prominent figures from the fields of diplomacy, business, aviation, media, and creative industries.
In a statement, the Center noted that the four-day event, held under the slogan “Young Minds, Global Impact,” featured a series of evening sessions at its headquarters. The program aimed to bring young people closer to the human and professional experiences behind successful career paths, moving beyond traditional lectures and official speeches.
The sessions focused on difficult decisions, challenges, failures, and the evolution of ambitions and values that shaped each speaker’s journey, rather than simply showcasing achievements and positions held.
“Window to the World” adopted a format distinct from traditional conferences. Each guest was allocated a separate session within a small group, allowing participants the space to ask questions and engage in open, direct dialogue.
The program was opened by the European Union Ambassador to Kuwait, Ann Questin, who introduced participants to the realities of international diplomacy. She discussed multilateral cooperation, the role of dialogue in addressing shared global challenges, and the choices facing young people interested in careers in diplomacy and international affairs.
Bhutanese Ambassador Phub Dorji provided an overview of his country’s experience, national identity, and distinctive development approach, highlighting the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, which balances economic growth with social well-being, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. Turkish Ambassador Tuba Nour Sonmez shared the experiences and relationships that shaped her diplomatic journey, emphasizing her connection to Kuwait and the human bonds she formed during her tenure in the country.
Belgian Ambassador Christian Domaz spoke about his unconventional path to diplomacy, noting that he worked in various professional fields before entering foreign affairs in his early thirties.
Parathan Pasupathy, CEO of Jazeera Airways, participated in one of the program’s most prominent sessions, transporting participants into the world of aviation and executive leadership. He outlined his extensive professional experience in the airline sector and the demands of managing a major enterprise operating in a rapidly changing commercial environment.
The session allowed participants to gain a deeper understanding of the transition from professional ambition to senior leadership roles, including the pressures and challenges that require balancing commercial performance with responsibilities toward employees, customers, and shareholders.
Despite the speakers’ diverse backgrounds, countries, and sectors, several common messages emerged during the sessions. Notably, successful career paths rarely follow a straight line, and professional progress often involves hesitation, rejection, course corrections, and learning from failure. These dialogues helped participants look beyond titles and public positions, fostering a better understanding of the personal decisions and accumulated efforts behind them.
The Reconnaissance Center stated that the program extends its mission to promote objective analysis, strategic dialogue, and knowledge exchange by reaching a younger generation and facilitating direct interaction between emerging talents and experienced figures.
The Center affirmed its intention to continue the “Window to the World” program as a platform enabling youth in Kuwait to meet leaders and experienced individuals, broaden their horizons, and engage more confidently with the world around them.
The program featured journalist and visual historian of Kuwait, Claudia Al-Rashood, who presented decades of the country’s history through photographs and personal narratives.
She discussed her experience documenting Kuwait before and after the Iraqi invasion, as well as her work on the book “Kuwait: Before the Storm and After,” emphasizing that a photograph is not merely a visual snapshot, but a historical record that preserves the collective memory, transformations, and individual experiences of society.
From the business sector, the program hosted Dehiraj Oburoy, one of the founders of Kuwait India Trading Company (KITCO), who recounted his experience in building one of Kuwait’s most prominent food brands since the company’s establishment in 1962.
Oburoy did not present entrepreneurship as a straightforward path to success; rather, he spoke about rejection, setbacks, and recurring challenges, offering a lesson in perseverance and persistence despite discouraging circumstances.
The program concluded with a session featuring Raven de Souza, Editor-in-Chief of The Kuwait Times, who shared his extensive experience in journalism and media in Kuwait.
De Souza discussed the transformations underway in the media sector, the responsibility of journalistic institutions to provide reliable information to the public, and the importance of maintaining credibility.
