The spirit of volunteering is an important element of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ and the concept was successfully promoted during the fourth University Volunteer Youth Forum.

More than 250 young people attended the event, which was organised by Qatar University (QU) and sponsored by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC). QU's Volunteering Center, which seeks to promote innovation and creativity in volunteering and social entrepreneurship, contributed to the event.

Held at the QU campus, this year's forum highlighted the progress of the Youth Panel– an initiative launched by the SC's Community Engagement division which aims to foster the spirit of volunteering among young people across the country.

Khalid Al Jumaily, the SC's Community Engagement Manager, said the forum is a key tool in promoting the benefits of volunteering to young people.

"Incubating the spirit of volunteering among the country's youth is one of the key elements of nation building, which is one of the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup," said Al Jumaily.

"The success of the partnership between the SC and QU was evident during the event. Both organisations will continue to promote volunteering, whether among young people or the wider community."

Rashid Al Rumaihi presented details of his Youth Panel experience during the forum. He told delegates that joining the panel had made him feel a part of Qatar's FIFA World Cup™ hosting journey.

"Being a member of the Youth Panel exceeded my expectations," said Al Rumaihi. "We were encouraged to volunteer, share our views and made to feel that our contributions would make a genuine difference.

"The Youth Panel teaches you that it's important to shape your own destiny and contribute to the country's future. We also learned that 2022 is about much more than football – it's about the legacy the tournament leaves in Qatar, the region and the world."

Click here for more information about the SC's community engagement initiatives.