Generation Rising Transformed 1.5 Million Young Lives Across 15 Countries Annual Report 2012-2013 INJAZ Al-Arab partners with leading organizations in the private sector to equip young people in the region to drive the economies of the Arab world forward Contents through mentoring and training designed to inspire them and to develop ambition, entrepreneurship and professional skills. Vision, Mission & Values 5 Message from CEO Founded in 2004, the NGO today operates in 15 countries across MENA as a 7 confederation of national operations. More than one million Arab youth have Message from Chairman 8 participated in the program to date. INJAZ in Numbers 9 INJAZ Al-Arab is unique in the sense that it emphasizes the importance of Regional Board Call to Action education and career initiatives to young Arabs, providing equal opportunities to 11 them regardless of gender, background or social status. Sponsored Programs & Pro Bono Services 13 In parallel, it fosters among business leaders a responsibility for investing their Start Up 15 resources in the future of the region’s youth and becoming the mirrors they want Ripples of Happiness 17 to see in the world by mentoring and providing opportunities to young people to rise to their true potential. Steer Your Career 20 INTEL Sci-Preneurship Competition A National Board of Directors leads each INJAZ country operation, with the INJAZ 21 Al-Arab Regional Board responsible for directing overall strategy and organizational ALESCO 22 governance. These bodies comprise the region’s top business leaders who share a common ideal for the Arab youth. INJAZ Al-Arab Young Entrepreneurs Competition 23 Generation Entrepreneur INJAZ Al-Arab is a member of Junior Achievement Worldwide. 24 Member Nations’ Celebrations 25 Awards and Recognitions 26 Member Nations’ Digest 28 Regional Board of Directors 43 Meet Our Team 45 Our Appreciation 47 3 4 Vision Our vision is to inspire a generation of Arab youth to use their natural talents, inspiration, passion and determination to become the business leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Mission Our mission is to accelerate young people’s ability to contribute to the economic development of our nations and region by connecting them with business leaders and providing them with the skills and mindset they need to become the entrepreneurs and business leaders of tomorrow. Values Belief in the boundless potential of young people. Commitment to the principles of market-based economics and entrepreneurship. Passion for what we do and honesty, integrity, and excellence in how we do it. Respect for the talents, creativity, perspectives, and backgrounds of all individuals. Belief in the power of partnership and collaboration. Conviction in the educational and motivational impact of relevant, hands-on learning. 5 6 Message from CEO Message from Chairman INJAZ Al-Arab has been in the field of developing Alongside a strong community of business leaders in the entrepreneurship, improving business literacy and MENA region, I am very proud to have a role in driving workforce readiness for the past 13 years- but this year, the spirit of business and entrepreneurship amongst we have witnessed a tremendous transformation. Arab youth. Remarkably, these youth are becoming the agents of economic, social and political change as This year, we have seen a seismic shift not only in the they not only discover entrepreneurship but emerge as way young people think about business, but in the way leaders in their respective fields. private sector partners are stepping up and governments are opening up to the idea of supporting start ups. This rising generation is ready to confront the challenges head-on, and positively, with brilliant business plans Public-private partnerships are growing; we have seen and inspiring entrepreneurial proposals, engaging and progress specifically in the Levant region, the Gulf employing their fellow peers and seeking innovative countries and Egypt where governments and private solutions. sector leaders are creating framework to provide easier access to financial means and seed funding to small Throughout this past year, INJAZ Al-Arab reached over enterprises. 355,000 youth across the region and has a!ected 1.5 million Arab youth since its inception. These young Culturally, starting a small business is not only becoming people have not only been inspired by the idea of starting more acceptable, but an entrepreneurship revolution is a business, but many have launched these businesses, emerging in the Arab world. Young people want to create and also received funding and recognition for their ideas, jobs in their communities and participate in the global innovation, and perseverance. market through innovative business ideas. Regional television networks have also taken an interest in playing As INJAZ expands its programs, more and more youth, a role in the success of youth. As a result, our television who are hungry for change and progress, for growth and series Generation Entrepreneur, aired on OSN this past success, and for stability and a positive future, seize the year and was very well-received across the region. The chance to transform their hopes and ideas into profitable reality TV show followed entrepreneurs from Lebanon, realities. These e!orts translate into the strengthening of Tunisia and Egypt as they embarked on launching their communities and regional economies. startups and competed in their respective national competitions. This generation should be proud that is has integrated itself into the global marketplace. Young people are not At INJAZ Al-Arab, we are now reaping the returns from waiting for an invitation, they are creating opportunities our alumni- INJAZ students from a few years ago are for themselves. Young people of today do not need now experiencing success and mentoring younger much pushing, they are eager to create their own entrepreneurs. One of our former students, Mustafa livelihoods. We must work with our youth to help equip Hemdan founded Recyclobekia as part of INJAZ’s Start them with the necessary tools to continue down this Up program. This year the company was listed in Forbes road. INJAZ does this well and private sector partnership magazine as one of the Top 10 Startups to Watch in the is critical in extending these opportunities to all youth Middle East. across the region and helping them change their current and future landscape. More and more young Arabs are able to realize their potential in business and enterprise because of the Thank you for your continuing support. encouragement and support provided by INJAZ and by society as a whole. Entrepreneurship is not an unfamiliar term anymore as people have begun to embrace the idea of youth empowerment. Young Arabs are creating ground-breaking and innovative products, services and business and furthering development in the region and beyond. H.E. Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nehayan Chairman INJAZ Al-Arab Soraya Salti CEO 7 INJAZ Al-Arab 8 INJAZ in Numbers 2012-2013 Number of students: 358,042 Number of volunteers: Number of universities: 9,304 197 Number of schools: 1,534 9 10 Regional Advocacy “With Arab youth entering the workforce in the tens of millions over the next “HSBC believes that education, especially based around decade, I cannot think of any initiative more important than empowering them to financial literacy and entrepreneurship, gives the next control their own destinies through entrepreneurship.” generation the confidence to tackle local problems, to break barriers and to contribute to their communities.” Frank Kemnetz President Ammar Shams ExxonMobil Middle East Regional Head of Corporate Sustainability HSBC Bank Middle East Limited “INJAZ provides a crucial support to the youth of our region. The programme doesn’t just teach entrepreneurship, it teaches “life skills” that equip students with confidence and the solid tools to “Intel is committed to support sustained economic growth in the Arab region through succeed in any pathway they decide to take in the regional collaborations and partnerships aimed at bridging the digital divide and future.” fostering innovation. Our collaboration with INJAZ Al-Arab aims to inspire a culture of entrepreneurship and business innovation among Arab youth, to enable their success Sjoerd Leenart in the global economy, which is a key towards achieving our joint commitment CEO towards the citizens of the region. The Sci-Preneurship Innovation Camp, which was J.P. Morgan Middle East & North Africa hosted by the two companies this year, exemplifies our focus on coaching young scientists on developing science-based commercially viable solutions for major global challenges like water scarcity.” Taha Khalifa “INJAZ Al-Arab has been making a tangible di!erence to the lives of children in Regional General Manager the Arab world and can only continue to drive these e!orts with the support of Intel Corporation, Middle East & North Africa volunteers. This is why, over the past two years, we have mobilized our MasterCard team members to become involved with the It’s my Business program, where we collectively work towards empowering youth to positively shape the future of this dynamic region.” “It is our collective duty to contribute to economic viability and organic growth of Michael Miebach the region by supporting Arab youth, by President providing the tools they need to secure their MasterCard Worldwide, Middle East & Africa futures and positively contribute to their societies.” Je!rey Johnson President Boeing Middle East “As we strive