Arab Career Development Conference: Pioneering Career Development in the Arab World
Arab Career Development Conference:
Pioneering Career Development in the Arab World
In the pursuit of localizing the science of career guidance and development in the Arab region, the inaugural Arab Career Development Conference (ACDC) marked a significant milestone. Continuous development of professional skills and knowledge stands as a vital driver for the progress of nations. A skilled and qualified workforce plays a decisive role in propelling sustainable economic and social advancement. Yet, the Arab region faces various challenges, including a lack of proper understanding of theoretical career development concepts and the tendency to focus solely on individual efforts without considering the role of strategic initiatives at the national level.
As the significance of career development grows in advanced countries, it becomes imperative to establish mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise in this field. Here, ACDC emerges as a unique cornerstone, representing the first collective platform for such endeavors in the Arab world. In this context, Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC) participated in the inaugural conference to spotlight Qatar’s pioneering efforts in career development.
The center’s active participation and contribution underscores its commitment to sharing experiences and successes within the broader Arab community. QCDC, represented by Mr. Saad Al-Kharji, the Center’s Career Programs and Services Manager, and Mr. Mohamed Tagrida, Head of Marketing and Communications, presented a research paper titled: “Enhancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Qatar’s Labor Market: A Case Study,” showcasing the intensive efforts made by the center to promote an inclusive employment culture in Qatar. The paper highlighted the achievements made and the challenges encountered in this endeavor.
To delve into the role that ACDC aims to fulfill and the potential it offers to experts in career guidance and development across the Arab world, we spoke with Mr. Ahmed Mostafa Kamal, the President and Organizer of the Arab Career Development Conference. Mr. Kamal is a leading figure in the field of career guidance and development at both international and regional levels. Currently, he holds the position of Co-Chair of the International Relations Committee at the National Career Development Association (NCDA) in the United States.
What motivated you to organize the Arab Career Development Conference, the first of its kind in the Arab world?
Conferences hold immense significance in any field as they provide a vital space for knowledge exchange, learning from experienced professionals, and fostering connections among scholars and specialists. These factors drove us to organize the inaugural Arab Career Development Conference. The idea of this conference has been brewing since I signed the representation agreement with NCDA in Egypt back in 2010. However, regional events and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its realization.
Did the first edition achieve its objectives?
As organizers, we assess the success of the conference based on clear metrics that indicate whether our objectives were achieved. The participation of over 1,000 practitioners and specialists, along with representatives from more than 40 governmental and non-governmental institutions in over 20 workshops and panel discussions, is reassuring evidence of the conference’s impact and success. This encourages us to plan for future editions. From a personal standpoint, as a practitioner and someone interested in the field, attending the conference was undeniably an inspiring experience.
Can the field of career development play an active role in developing the economies of Arab countries?
First and foremost, we should bear in mind that a true understanding of career development is intrinsically linked to improving human lives. Since humans are individuals within societies, and societies are components of larger entities, a positive impact on the individual ripples through their smaller community, which in turn affects their nation, and, ultimately, the regional community they are part of.
Indeed, career development plays a significant role in the sustainable development of Arab countries’ economies, as individuals are the foundation of any economy. Improving their skills and enhancing their abilities contributes to increased productivity and innovation, thus positively influencing the national economy.
Is there a disparity among Arab countries concerning their attention to and development of this field?
Absolutely, there is a significant disparity among Arab countries when it comes to focusing on and developing the field of career development. This disparity can be attributed to several factors. One key factor is the absence of unified awareness and understanding regarding the importance and benefits of career development. It’s a relatively modern discipline, heavily drawn from foreign sources, making the process of localizing and adapting this knowledge a fundamental challenge. Additionally, differences in needs, educational policies, and economic structures among countries influence the degree of emphasis placed on skill and professional development. It’s crucial to standardize concepts and formulate clear strategies to enhance the field of career development in Arab countries to achieve better outcomes and promote sustainable development in the region.
What is the most prominent challenge facing career development in the Arab region?
The challenges confronting this field are numerous and difficult to encapsulate, but let’s discuss the most notable ones. Fundamentally, the primary challenge arises from the lack of genuine and accurate comprehension of the concept of career development. Emphasizing the word “science” here is crucial, as sciences differ from business applications and practices. Consequently, some individuals might view this field as just a job or a profession for financial gain. We don’t have an issue with this approach; quite the opposite, we recognize the cost of investing in education and development and the significance of reaping financial returns. However, this approach shouldn’t be solely profit-oriented. If the approach becomes solely about monetary gain, it could significantly undermine the quality of the field. Thus, raising awareness and fostering a true understanding of the concept and importance of career development becomes a paramount challenge.
Another challenge we face is the tendency toward individual efforts. This was prominently observed during the conference. Countries and entities within these countries often operate in isolation. This isolation negatively impacts the growth and advancement of the field. Therefore, it’s essential to enhance cooperation and partnerships to ensure broader growth and impact of the field of career development in Arab communities. In fact, this was one of the reasons for organizing ACDC in the first place.
What are your long-term aspirations for the outcomes of this event?
Increasing awareness across the entire Arab region, not just practitioners and officials, about the nature of career development and how to benefit from it is of utmost importance. Individuals should understand when and why they need career development services and professionals who can assist them at every stage and challenge. These concepts should become part of public discourse. On the other hand, there is a need to establish Arab entities responsible for guiding and implementing career development, considering societal needs and global trends.
Has the date and location for the next edition of the conference been determined?
Following the success of the first edition, we aim to hold the conference annually. There is also another goal of organizing secondary events throughout the year. These don’t necessarily have to be as large as the conference, considering the nature and challenges of initial endeavors. Although, establishing responsible bodies for this matter might be challenging, and it will depend on the commitment of sponsoring countries. For example, the Arab Republic of Egypt sponsored the first edition, and we are currently collaborating with some institutions in Egypt and other Arab countries to explore the feasibility and potential outcomes of organizing another conference in 2024. This will definitely be contingent upon the evolving circumstances and events. Hence, a specific date hasn’t been determined yet, and it will be based on progress assessment and feasibility estimation.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There is a crucial point I want to emphasize, which I’ve mentioned several times before—the necessity to increase awareness and enhance connections and integration among us as experts. Although we’ve been among the prominent figures active in this field since its inception in 2002, and we possess a comprehensive understanding of the situation in Arab countries, it’s truly wonderful to discover the efforts and developments in some countries about which we had no prior knowledge! Personally, I found the research paper presented by Qatar’s representative’s at ACDC, about dealing with special needs and disabilities in career development, particularly impactful and interesting. It was an inspiring and remarkable contribution. Experiences and efforts from each country should be shared with the world beyond its borders. Qatar’s participation in this endeavor, along with their cooperation with other entities, is a positive step toward increased collaboration and communication among us. This underscores the importance of interconnection and integration among our diverse national efforts. We would like to express our gratitude to Qatar and QCDC for their swift response to the invitation to participate in ACDC, their presence, and their collaboration, which not only supports this field but also adds value to it—both in Qatar and the broader Arab world, and even at the international level.
