Launch of the training program "Partners 11" to empower youth and persons with disabilities
The Mama Kifaya Center for Experimental Research and Development in the Social and Humanities Sciences, in collaboration with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, has launched the Partners 11 developmental training program. The initiative aims to empower youth, including persons with disabilities, enhance their community participation, and build their capacities across various fields.
Kifaya Al-Alban, the center’s founder, told KUNA on Sunday that the program seeks to develop youth capabilities and prepare a generation capable of advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, contributing to the construction of a more inclusive and integrated society. She noted that the program will run until August 26 at the Research Institute.
Al-Alban stated that the program focuses on developing youth skills in civic, social, environmental, technological, and economic aspects, while also enhancing their participation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 10, which aims to reduce inequalities.
She explained that the program is based on the concepts of self-directed learning, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas and experiences. It aims to empower persons with disabilities to become advocates for their own causes, while involving non-disabled youth and preparing them to support these rights. This approach fosters a culture of acceptance and community participation and raises awareness across different segments of society.
She added that the 11th edition includes a series of training workshops covering public speaking, social skills, and life skills. It also provides an introduction to Kuwaiti Law No. 8 of 2010 concerning the rights of persons with disabilities, the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Sustainable Development Goals, alongside training in debate, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
The program is implemented under the patronage of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, the Public Authority for Persons with Disabilities, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It involves participation from the National Debate Team and a select group of specialists and experts in various fields.
Al-Alban highlighted that the 11th cohort targets the training of 39 participants, supervised by nine mentors. The focus is on strengthening advocacy, communication, and community participation skills, raising awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities, and preparing a generation of young leaders capable of defending their causes.
She added that the Partners program was launched in 2015. By 2025, it had successfully trained 250 trainees, involving 30 supervisors and 25 lecturers. The initiative has resulted in the implementation of 13 community projects, reflecting the program’s continuity in developing youth capabilities and transforming their knowledge into initiatives with social impact.
