In an age where digital media shapes global narratives, responsible and impactful content creation is more vital than ever, particularly in the humanitarian and development sectors. Acknowledging this, the UAE is stepping up efforts to empower young storytellers to champion meaningful causes.

A new initiative, launched under the patronage of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, seeks to redefine how humanitarian stories are told and shared across digital platforms.

H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, emphasized the power of humanitarian storytelling in fostering community solidarity and driving positive global impact.

Spotlighting “humanitarian efforts and developmental contributions is crucial for community solidarity as they impact positively the lives of millions of people across the world,” he noted, adding that the UAE’s humanitarian initiatives reinforce its leadership on the global stage.

His remarks came during the launch of the “Impact Makers” initiative, developed in collaboration with the New Media Academy. The program features a series of educational modules and training workshops designed to elevate digital media content in the humanitarian and development sectors.

H.H. Sheikh Theyab emphasized the importance of “empower[ing] individuals to forge positive and influential content that addresses humanitarian issues, increases community awareness through storytelling and appropriate media strategies.”

The initiative targets journalists, camera crews, and digital creators from the UAE, the wider Arab region, and beyond. It aims to enhance skills in producing compelling humanitarian content. It also offers specialized training for spokespersons representing UAE-based humanitarian and charitable organizations, focusing on reputation management and crisis communication.

The initiative includes several training modules, beginning with “Spokesperson Skills, Media Appearance, and Crisis Management in the Media,” followed by “Humanitarian Impact Journalism” and “Humanitarian Impact Content Creators,” the latter developed in collaboration with the Arab Youth Centre.