Global IT Challenge for Youth and Disabilities 2023 to be hosted in Abu Dhabi

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi, represented by the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO), will host the “Global Information Technology Challenge for People of Determination” (GITC) International Competition in 2023, for the first time in the Middle East.

This competition aims to improve digital literacy and impart digital skills to young adults with developmental disabilities who are determined.

The competition acts as 

an initiative that works directly into the national policy to empower people who have the determination to be launched by the UAE government. It is in line with the strategy of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for people of determination, looking to make Abu Dhabi an inclusive environment that allows equitable access to people of determination and upholds their rights.

People who are determined can get information using their skills without help from others thanks to the competition. Additionally, it eliminates the digital gap, which is one of the obstacles facing any endeavour to reform society by digital means for this particular group of determined individuals (people with developmental disabilities).

Abdullah Abdul Ali Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of Zayed Higher Organisation, welcomed the competition’s hosting in Abu Dhabi. He said that hosting the GITC demonstrates the State’s status, ability and significant success factors for various events and occasions, in addition to its integrated infrastructure and fundamental pillars. In light of the wise leadership’s support for development operations in multiple fields, it impresses the world every time with its superior ability and its keenness to achieve the highest rates and standards of organisational success.

Al Humaidan said “Hosting this challenge achieves the vision of the UAE in general, and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in particular in serving people of determination, and its efforts to build bridges of cooperation and exchange experiences with the relevant authorities, at local, regional and global levels, regarding the development and exchange of experiences with various international bodies specialising in matters of people of determination.”

He also affirmed that GITC is a project that increases the information and communication technology capabilities of young people of these categories, creates a fundamental foundation for social progress and helps in awareness of their digital accessibility.