Doha, Qatar 18 February 2025 – Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, attended the Mentor Arabia Gala Dinner in collaboration with EAA. The event brought together world leaders, dignitaries, and philanthropists in support of youth empowerment towards sustainable communities. The event was also attended by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, President of Mentor International, and hosted by His Royal Highness Prince Turki Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of Mentor Arabia.

The evening provided a platform to champion the role of youth in building sustainable societies, while raising essential funds to support initiatives that equip young people with the education, skills, and opportunities they need to succeed.                                                                                                        

Held at the Katara Hall at Raffles Doha, the Gala Dinner was a spectacular evening of purpose and philanthropy. Attendees were treated to inspiring speeches from world leaders, captivating cultural performances celebrating creativity and resilience, and an exclusive charity auction featuring extraordinary items led by the renowned international auctioneer Simon de Pury. Guests had the opportunity to engage with influential decision-makers, business leaders, and changemakers who share a common vision of investing in young people for a better future.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser said: “I commend and thank Mentor Arabia for empowering Arab youth, who are the true wealth of our nations, and who will be the ones to shape the future of the Arab world. Today, above all, young people need hope for their future — a future where every one of them can be fulfilled and play an active role in galvanizing the development of their countries. If we approach this challenge from an economic angle, we can see that failure to invest in young people and provide them with job opportunities constitutes a huge waste of any nation’s most important resource.”

Her Highness said on the partnership between EAA and Mentor Arabia in Lebanon and Qatar

“We look forward to a productive collaboration between Mentor Arabia and EAA Foundation that will support young people and qualify them to push the wheel of sustainable development forward.

The two foundations are commencing a program in Lebanon and Qatar, aiming to empower and employ youth. The program will develop skills and employment pathways for more than 8,000 young people across the next four years. It will make a tremendous difference in their lives, linking educational outcomes to the labor market and helping them transition from higher education to meaningful jobs in various sectors.”

Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden stated: “Youth are the cornerstone of sustainable communities and the architects of a brighter future. By empowering them with the tools, knowledge, and support they need, we ensure not just their personal growth but also the resilience and prosperity of entire societies. Sustainable communities thrive when young people are equipped to make informed decisions, take responsibility, and contribute meaningfully.”

His Royal Highness Prince Turki Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said: “We are proud of the strategic partnerships we have recently established with key stakeholders in Qatar, such as Education Above All and the Akhlaquna Program at Qatar Foundation. We firmly believe that through these strong collaborations, we can reach the largest possible number of children and youth, making a meaningful and positive impact on their lives.”

Proceeds from the Mentor Arabia Gala Dinner 2025 will directly support the Youth Empowerment and Employment for Development (YEED) Project, a collaborative initiative between EAA Foundation and Mentor Arabia. This project is dedicated to providing thousands of young people in Qatar and Lebanon with essential skills, mentorship programs, and sustainable employment opportunities. By equipping youth with the tools that they need to succeed, YEED aims to foster long-term socio-economic growth and empower the next generation.

During the dinner, eight young entrepreneurs were announced as winners of the fourth edition of the “Mentor Arabia Youth Social Entrepreneurs Award”. It honors young entrepreneurs for their exceptional achievements in the field of sustainable human and social development. They will in turn provide mentoring sessions to their peers in Qatar and the Arab world and inspire them to give back to their communities.

The success of the Mentor Arabia Gala Dinner 2025 was made possible through the support of key partners and sponsors, including Visionary Partners: Katara Hospitality, Qatar Airways, Doha Bank, and Lulu Group; Elite Partners: Place Vendôme and Chopard; and Honored Partners: Vodafone Qatar, Abdulghani Motors, Marriott Worldwide Business Councils Qatar, Snoonu, Floward, Elaan, Al Majed Jewellery, Lesha Bank and Alsraiya group. Their contributions reinforced a shared commitment to creating opportunities for young people and supporting sustainable development initiatives.

With the theme #Towards_Sustainable_Communities, Mentor Arabia Gala Dinner 2025 was a powerful demonstration of the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global development and education foundation, and Mentor Arabia’s unwavering commitment to create opportunities for young people through education, mentorship, and sustainable employment pathways.