Abu dhabi: Operation Smile UAE organised the Operation Smile MENA Student Conference 2025 (MENASC 2025), a first-of-its-kind youth healthcare leadership summit in the Middle East and North Africa, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Alyazia bint Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, wife of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
According to Emirates News Agency, the conference took place from 9th to 11th August 2025 at Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awal School, Abu Dhabi. Fifty high school students, aged 15-18, from Morocco, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, and the UAE participated in three days of intensive workshops focused on the theme 'Empowering Youth, Transforming Lives'. Students were equipped with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to champion comprehensive cleft care and health equity in their communities.
Operation Smile has been engaging young leaders for over 40 years as a driving force with their spirit and enthusiasm. The inaugural MENASC 2025 continues this legacy by investing in youth empowerment. 'We are excited to launch this first-of-its-kind conference in the MENA region,' said Morag Cromey-Hawke, Executive Director of Operation Smile UAE.
The conference featured workshops on cleft care and patient support. Students learned about cleft conditions, oral hygiene, speech and language therapy, nutrition, and psychosocial care. They also developed leadership skills to advocate for patients with cleft conditions through social media campaigns and awareness activities. Through team-building exercises and cultural exchanges, the young delegates embodied Operation Smile's values of compassion, resilience, and collaboration.
Rifaa Mehnaz, an Operation Smile student volunteer and team leader from the UAE, remarked, 'This conference is not just an event - it's the beginning of a movement.' She shared how Operation Smile opened her eyes to the power of connection, empathy, and global community, providing her with a deeper sense of purpose and confidence to lead with heart.
The ripple effect of MENASC 2025 will extend across the region as students turn knowledge into action, ensuring every child can smile, speak, and thrive with dignity.