MoCD involves gov. authorities, private sector in CDFW
July 27, 2021 / 6:36 PM
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Sharjah24: Following the directives of Her Excellency Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development and Chairman of the Wellbeing Council, the Ministry of Community Development, represented by the National Program for Happiness and Wellbeing organized the “Community Design Forum for Wellbeing in the UAE" (CDFW), conducted through virtual sessions.
The forum included 5 brainstorming workshops that focused on 5 main pillars, bringing together 154 participants and representatives of 36 federal and local government authorities, private sector organisations as well as 1200 people from different members of the community. The participants shared their proposals and perceptions of future challenges, initiatives, projects and proposed wellbeing policies through the community design platform. The Community Design Forum for Wellbeing in the UAE focused on five themes: mental health, physical health, financial health, giving & volunteering and social wellbeing. Hundreds of different members of the society including school students, youth, senior citizens also participated in the forum. The forum aims to create outcomes that enhance societal wellbeing. The Ministry also initiated interviews with members of the community to discuss the challenges of each theme and learn about the future outlook of the society and aspirations of individuals for better wellbeing in the UAE. The Ministry also sought the importance of preparing a questionnaire for community members covering the themes and sub-themes in order to keep the discussion diverse and transparent.
Future Vision During a speech at the beginning of the forum, Her Excellency Moza Ibrahim Al Akraf Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Community Development, stressed that the Ministry embodies a future vision for the next 50 years to achieve the best for our society and country through joint efforts of all the members of the community based on the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, when he approved the national wellbeing strategy 2031.
Excellency Moza Al Akraf added that the forum is an opportunity for dialogue and integration to provide the best initiatives that fulfil the leadership aspirations noting that the forum seeks for gathering the visions of both government authorities and private entities, stimulating the role of the UAE key sectors and mobilizing all exerted efforts, resources and possibilities for all members of society in order to benefit and achieve wellbeing in all sectors all over the UAE.
“At the pandemic recovery year, i.e. year of the fiftieth and the Year of Dubai Expo 2020, we are looking for progressive future wellbeing policies to implement the UAE leadership aspirations, we are also seeking for more programs and initiatives that enhance the UAE government efforts in happiness, positivity and wellbeing in general.
Forum Themes
Participants in regards to the mental health theme discussed integrated response mechanisms, initiatives, psychological care, principles of proactive mental health services, sustainability in the working environment and education. The physical health theme discussed ways of improving healthy nutrition and physical health for school students, fighting diseases and habits associated with individual behaviors such as "obesity, diabetes, smoking", promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for all the members of the society. The financial health theme highlighted financial planning skills, spending and savings culture. As part of the volunteering and giving theme, the participants discussed sub-themes related to promoting the values of giving and encouraging community participation in volunteer work, global changes and future of volunteerism, the role of educational institutions and employers in supporting volunteerism. Finally, the social life theme focused on cohesive and stable families, balance between life and work, family relationships and social communication.
Community Design
It is noted that the National Wellbeing Council is chaired by Her Excellency the Minister of Community Development and comprises of more than 20 federal and local government authorities; it is a platform for promoting government coordination and integration, achieving the themes and objectives of the National Wellbeing Strategy 2031. Community design is one of the key enablers of the National Wellbeing Strategy, which aims to empower individuals to design their lives in partnership with government authorities and the private sector. Wellbeing Strategy
The Ministry of Community Development seeks to achieve the aspirations of the UAE leadership and wellbeing vision for the UAE citizens as affiliated by the National Wellbeing Strategy 2031, a sustainable task and the UAE government's top priorities. As such, the UAE leadership continues to support the Emirati society to be the most cohesive, healthier and happiest of the world in order to achieve new lifestyles and wellbeing high levels. The National Wellbeing Strategy includes strategic objectives and areas to make the UAE a world leader in wellbeing through transition from good life concept to comprehensive concept of integrated wellbeing; by adopting the UAE leadership vision 2021 towards the UAE centennial 2071 goals.
National Framework
The National Wellbeing Strategy is based on three key national framework levels “individuals, society and state" and strategic objectives such as: enhancing individual lifestyle by promoting a healthy and active life, promoting good mental health and adopting positive thinking as a core value for building life skills. With its themes and initiatives, the strategy consolidates the foundations of a interdependent society by enhancing the quality of interdependence and social relations among family and community members, promoting digital wellbeing, promoting positive and targeted digital communities, building and focusing on wellbeing in learning and working environments, consolidating the values of giving, cooperation, solidarity and community service, promoting the viability, attractiveness and sustainability of cities and regions.
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