Nowhere is the potential of individual empowerment more apparent than in the creative energies unleashed through entrepreneurship. Throughout the Arab world, an increasing number of intrepid young entrepreneurs are creating businesses, providing jobs, building brands and fulfilling their own dreams.

But too often, these “success stories” are the exceptions in a region which places a premium on job security and stigmatizes "failure," and where aspiring entrepreneurs lack access both to capital and to the experiences and insights of their fellow travelers who have “made it.”

In order to highlight the challenges and bring out recommendations and possible solutions from experts, the Young Arab Leaders (YAL) hosted “Bridging the Divide: Entrepreneurship for the Arab Future” in Dubai, UAE, from 5-6 November, 2010, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Chief Patron of the YAL Board of Trustees.

The regional summit gathered over 300 leaders from private industry, government, academia and non- governmental organizations and brought out new ideas, built creative synergies and offered valuable networking opportunities. Delegates representing over 15 Arab nationalities came together seeking to stimulate entrepreneurship and help unlock the creative potential of the Arab world.

Read about the event in the press release.