Operation Smile UAE Holds First Youth Health Conference in MENA

Operation Smile UAE organised the first-ever youth healthcare leadership event in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This event is called the Operation Smile MENA Student Conference 2025 (MENASC 2025). It was held with the support of H.H. Sheikha Alyazia bint Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, who is the wife of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The conference aimed to bring young students from different countries together to learn about health issues, especially cleft care, and to help them become leaders in their communities.

Conference Details and Participants

MENASC 2025 took place from August 9 to August 11, 2025. The venue was Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awal School in Abu Dhabi.

Fifty high school students between the ages of 15 and 18 attended this event. These students came from five countries: Morocco, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.

During the three days, the students attended many workshops. These workshops focused on the theme “Empowering Youth, Transforming Lives.” The goal was to give the students knowledge, skills, and inspiration to help improve cleft care and health equality in their own communities.

Operation Smile’s Long History of Youth Involvement

Operation Smile has been working for over 40 years to help children with cleft lips and palates. Over the years, the organisation has involved many young people as leaders and volunteers. These young leaders are known for their positive “can do” attitude and energy.

The MENASC 2025 is the first conference of its kind in the MENA region, continuing Operation Smile’s focus on supporting young leaders to make a difference in healthcare.

Words from Operation Smile UAE’s Executive Director

Morag Cromey-Hawke, the Executive Director of Operation Smile UAE, spoke about the conference. She said they are very excited to hold this new and important event in the MENA region.

She explained that bringing students from many different cultures together helps create a strong group of young leaders who care deeply about others. The students not only learn about cleft care but also gain confidence and skills to speak out and help others in their communities.

Her vision is to have a MENA region where every child can get the care they need, and where young people lead the way for fair health services for all.

Workshop Topics and Skills Learned by Students

At MENASC 2025, students learned many important things about cleft care and how to support patients. Some topics included: understanding cleft conditions, good oral hygiene, speech and language therapy, nutrition, and emotional support.

The students also practiced leadership skills. They learned how to raise awareness and advocate for patients with cleft conditions. This included creating social media campaigns and other activities to inform and help their communities.

There were also team-building exercises and cultural exchange activities. These helped students work together and share ideas, showing values like compassion, strength, and teamwork — which are very important to Operation Smile.

A Student Leader’s Experience

Rifaa Mehnaz, a student volunteer and team leader from the UAE, shared her thoughts about the conference. She said this event is not just a one-time gathering but the start of a big movement.

Rifaa explained that joining Operation Smile changed her life. She learned how important connection, empathy, and global community are. She feels that being part of this group gave her a clear purpose and the confidence to lead with kindness.

She also spoke about how a single surgery can change a child’s life. Seeing the happiness and gratitude from families was very powerful for her. Rifaa believes the conference helped other students feel this same passion and energy to become leaders who bring smiles and hope to children.

The Impact of MENASC 2025 Across the Region

The effects of MENASC 2025 will continue to spread across the MENA region. The students will use what they learned to take action in their communities.

Their work will help make sure every child can smile, speak, and live with dignity. These young leaders will become champions of cleft care and health fairness, making a positive difference for many children and families.

A New Generation Leading Health Change

Operation Smile’s first MENA youth conference showed how young people can lead important changes in health care.

By learning about cleft conditions and how to support patients, these students are ready to help many children who need surgery and care.

The conference brought together different cultures and ideas, building a strong network of youth leaders who will work together to improve health for everyone in the region.

This event is a hopeful step toward a future where every child has the chance to live a happy and healthy life, and young people lead the way.