Some individuals appear  to be blessed with natural leadership qualities  but how is this level of competence achieved?  This  is precisely what is outlined in the “I am young and an initiator” workshop organized by Mohammad Bin Khalid Al Nahyan Association  at the Sharjah International Book Fair.  
At times, society has had rather dismissive and ageist views regarding the youth, frequently declaring thoughtless statements such as “children should be seen and not heard”  but this attitude is out of date and changing  thanks to workshops like this, which aim to bring out the true potential of individuals  from a young age. The reality is that children are the future and therefore one is never too young to develop entrepreneurial skills which can  greatly  help in the future and assist in an increased level  of confidence.  



Aya Mustafa, a trainer at the association, began by  asking the children what an initiator is and what qualities do they have.  As she passed the mike around the table, she listened intently to the children’s various opinions with individualized attention as  she created an open dialogue. She proceeded to give examples of influential  leaders and initiators, such as the rulers of the UAE and other famous contemporary and historical readers.  
She asked the children to reflect about what we can  learn from these exemplary people and what sets them apart from others. She stressed on the importance of brushing  up on current affairs and playing an active role within your own community.  Mustufa incorporated Islamic values into the forum effectively and talks about ways in which Islam encourages leadership traits.
Merging religion with practical  advice  made this workshop contemporary yet rooted in imperative cultural values.
The  Mohammad Bin Khalid Al Nahyan Association has a lot  of variation regarding  the workshops that are available, for instance their “Professional Careers” workshop is perfectly suitable for younger children.
Every session, they highlight popular professions in the community such as doctors, policemen, teachers and the occupation du jour was firemen.  Mariam Al – Wahsh, the trainer, gave the kids a brief overview about a day in the life of a fireman and what his job actually entails.  



During the PowerPoint presentation she prepared, she talked a little bit about the equipment  firemen use and where they work.  She consistently tested the children’s attention  by asking them questions about a fireman’s responsibilities. To finish off the session, the kids were treated to a session of coloring where they received cute black and white templates of firemen’s trucks. This finished off the class with just the right note of lightheartedness. A perfect end to a highly informative afternoon.