The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) showcased the organisational commitment to the youth of Qatar on Tuesday at the graduation ceremony of the inaugural Youth Panel.

The 35 members of the 2015 Youth Panel, aged between 14 and 21, received graduation certificates and gifts from Khalid Al Jumaily, SC Community Engagement Manager, during the event.

The function also initiated the 51-member 2016 batch into the year-long self-development programme aimed at social empowerment and professional development.

The Youth Panel is an initiative of the Community Engagement department of the SC aimed at giving a voice to the youth of Qatar in the delivery and legacy planning of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™. The programme aims to inspire young people, irrespective of their nationality or background and foster a sense of ownership and pride in the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, and in particularly the legacy the tournament will leave.

Over the course of the previous year, the newly graduated group set their own agenda and gained unique access to architects, engineers, medical professionals and experts from across the SC. They visited stadiums and attended workshops learning, questioning and contributing to the delivery of infrastructure and legacy planning for the first ever World Cup of the Middle East region.

The alumni from the inaugural year – drawn from over 18 nationalities – outlined their commitment to Qatar 2022 going forward either in overseas youth ambassadorial roles or as local mentors to the youth panel members.

A fascinating audiovisual presentation encapsulating the best moments of the inaugural group's year-long programme was one of the highlights of the evening, as was a live chat during which a few graduates revealed how the initiative had helped them develop their confidence, presentation and public speaking skills.

Members of the 2016 batch were given glass balls by their predecessors and thereby initiated into the programme.

Talking to www.sc.qa after the event, Community Engagement Manager Khalid Al Jumaily said the Youth Panel programme is helping to contribute towards the Qatar National Vision 2030. "The Youth Panel is a SC backed initiative to build youth capacity, thereby promoting human legacy, a major objective for Qatar National Vision 2030. We empower them to engage with industry experts and decision makers and widen their awareness. They become part of the organisation and ambassadors for the World Cup."

Today's young people will be the ones who welcome the world to Qatar in 2022. They are the ones who will help break down today's social barriers and proudly showcase our culture to the world. The dreams and ambitions we have today will be experienced and delivered by the youth. The SC is committed to empowering young people, and it's for this reason – among many others – that the Youth Panel was formed. We are proud of what has been achieved so far in the inaugural year and look forward to working with the 2016 Youth Panel.