“To the region's young leaders, know this: you have the power to transform the future. Set powerful goals”

“Arab and Israeli young people, Muslim, Christian and Jewish, must be empowered by peace. Ensuring that this is so is the greatest calling of today's generation of leaders and it must begin with a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict…”

“I can tell you that the young men and women of this region have incredible talent and energy and character. I can tell you, they can transform old realities – they can cross the divides, agree on justice and share in the progress of our century…”

“In the years ahead, the Middle East faces major requirements for development. Youth are more than fifty per cent of our population; they are coming of age with high expectations for opportunity, for security, for respect. The means to respond are there. We are rich in human talent and a heritage honouring education and culture…”

“In the Middle East, more than half the population is 18 years or younger. They have no memory of a time without regional conflict. They see a huge gap between rich and poor. They see diseases that wealthy nations have wiped out that are still crippling people in the developing world. They see gender inequality holding back the talents of half the world. They see the harm as well as the hope brought by globalisation… it is up to us to give them the tools they need. And we must make a beginning now – a taste of success that helps people see they can succeed…”

“In education, our focus is on empowering youth. Today, whether in busy urban centres or remote desert communities, you'll find students surfing the Internet. First graders are learning English as a second language. University students are learning information technologies and the skills of critical thinking…”

“Some people say we must create a better tomorrow for our youth. I say we must create a better today…”

“We strove to provide an opportunity for the women of Jordan to fully participate in setting the global agenda. And we hoped to give young Jordanians a chance to express their dreams and aspirations: for a peaceful region, open to the world, where their skills and talents can flourish…”

“The government will also articulate a clear policy for the development of youth services. This policy will be predicated on scientific bases that consolidate the youth's sense of belonging and instil in them the values of professional, social, voluntary and creative work…”

“The youth are the future of the country, and it is essential to release their potential and direct them towards public and national service. Youth potential should be organised in collective frameworks that include all parts of the country and utilise the youths' spare time in activities that will be of use to them and the nation… ”

“The incentive that you give to your youth is going to be the make or break future of the country”