Barran Press
Local authorities in Yemen's southwestern Taiz Governorate today inaugurated a Social Innovation Lab, a new initiative aimed at fostering creative solutions and turning ideas into tangible opportunities. The launch event included 23 teams from seven Yemeni governorates.
Eng. Rashad Al-Akhali, Undersecretary of Taiz Governorate, expressed hopes that the lab will become a "model and inspiring experience." He urged Taiz's youth to innovate on development challenges, emphasizing a participatory approach to testing prototypes and solutions. Al-Akhali affirmed the local authority's full support, promising to remove obstacles for young innovators and to utilize their projects. He also called on government agencies, educational bodies, youth organizations, the private sector, civil society, political parties, and media to back these efforts.
Nabil Hail Saeed, Regional Director of the Hail Saeed Anam Group, highlighted his group's commitment to sustainable development in Yemen. He told "Baran Press" that Yemeni youth are not just the nation's future but its "upcoming present," capable of turning challenges into opportunities. Saeed stressed that innovation is crucial for real development in a rapidly changing world, especially with advancements in AI and digital transformation, viewing local innovation as key to building the country's economy and efficient institutions.
Funded by the European Union and the Hail Saeed Anam Group and Partners, the lab's initial activities center on the education sector. Participants surveyed by "Baran Press" noted that while innovation in Yemen is nascent, such initiatives are crucial for bridging gaps between government, the private sector, civil society, and youth.