International Youth Hostel Forum in Doha

The forum

The main topic of the forum was the fourth United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, which focuses on providing inclusive and fair quality education and promoting opportunities for lifelong learning for everyone. As part of this, young participants from ten different countries were divided into three working groups or committees on the first day, and we immediately began taking part in presentations and discussions with experts from the region and the local community.

These included decision makers from UNICEF, the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Social Development and Family, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. They presented a range of inclusive programmes and strategies, and over the four days we used the information we received to develop proposals for UNICEF. The three committees included the Committee on Non-Formal Education Skills and Youth Empowerment, the Committee on Inclusion and Educational Equity, and the Committee on Educational Tourism and Cultural Exchange.

While developing the measures, we also expanded our ideas by sharing examples of good practice from our own countries. These presentations were especially important, as we also shared our own work and highlighted the practices, challenges, and solutions from Slovenia, a small country but one with strong experience in this field, while stressing the importance of young people taking an active role in achieving these goals.

Among our key examples were programmes such as Nefiks and Beleži.si, which help young people develop their potential by tracking the skills and abilities they gain through non-formal education. It is also worth mentioning the Slovenian Youth Agency, which supports the youth sector in its work, and the Voluntariat Institute, which leads the way in involving young people from more vulnerable groups.

We also mentioned the weak points of the participating countries, worked on finding solutions, and included these in the proposals that we presented to local decision makers at the end of the conference. Our proposals were also welcomed by the UNICEF leadership, who will help implement them internationally as part of achieving the fourth Sustainable Development Goal. At the closing conference, we also voted on the goal that the forum will focus on next year.

Local culture and everyday life

When we first met the people of Qatar, we immediately knew that we had arrived in a country of warm and welcoming people. From the very first meetings, their friendliness and welcoming nature, which are part of their everyday life, really stood out. The first day was a bit more relaxed, as it was mainly for the arrival of the delegations, so we used the time to explore Doha on our own.

We headed to the old town, specifically Souq Waqif, where we got our first real and raw impression of the city. In the narrow streets, we were surrounded by unfamiliar faces who were happy to approach us, start a conversation, or offer help, even when we did not need it. This spontaneity and warmth pleasantly surprised us and made us feel at home. Our walks were made even more special by the curious cats, which appeared almost everywhere and added an extra charm to the whole experience.

Beyond the traditional Souq Waqif and the cultural old town, we also explored the more modern parts of Doha, which show the country’s rapid development and contemporary way of life. We visited the Museum of Islamic Art, where the rich collections and architecture gave us a deeper insight into Islamic history and culture. We also saw modern parts of the city, like the Mina District and the man-made island The Pearl, which show Qatar’s vision of modern and sustainable city living.

Visiting the town of Al Khor was also an important part of getting to know the local area. Along with the other participants, we had the chance to go kayaking in a natural setting, which gave us a calmer perspective on the country. This time in nature showed us the importance of balancing urban development, sustainability, and the preservation of natural resources.

Final thoughts

The forum gave us a chance to see how other national organisations work and to get involved in shaping policies at a global level. It also showed that even a small country like Slovenia, and young people in general, have the same opportunities to contribute to a more sustainable future.

By taking part in the forum organised each year by the Qatar Hostelling Organisation, we also experienced a cultural exchange. This allowed us to get to know a new environment and make new friends, for which we remain grateful.

Elma and Evelina