(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
ABU DHABI, 23rd January, 2019 (WAM) -- The Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi, organised its official launch at a ceremony held at the Louvre Abu Dhabi yesterday with the participation of government leaders, community figures, investors from the various sectors, and ambassadors of fraternal and friendly countries.
The official launch of the Department of Community Development aims at highlighting the strategy of the community development sector, in addition to reviewing the mechanism for the application of the department's vision, 'A 'decent life for all community members'.
In his speech, Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development said, "The establishment of the Department in Abu Dhabi reflects the forward-looking vision and thinking of our leadership that prioritises the development of the community, improvement of the quality of life and ensuring the empowerment of its members."
He added, "The vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi Emirate, emphasize the significance of every individual of the community for being the major component of the comprehensive development process taking place in the emirate in the various fields, where the individual receives the various aspects of care, empowerment and interest from childhood and throughout all stages of life."
Al Khaili stressed that the emirate is characterised by an insurmountable societal fabric, where all citizens enjoy a life of coexistence, unity and harmony. This is a clear indication of the authentic values of our society derived from the legacy of the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who changed our nation into an example of respect and acceptance of others.
He revealed the results of the "First Social Survey" of the emirate, which was implemented in 2018. More than 51,000 people living the emirate participated in the survey where residents represented 60 percent of the survey respondents.
The survey, which was carried out according to international best practices, covered 14 vital indicators including, housing and income, wealth, jobs, health, education, security and safety, social links, community participation, environment, well-being, work and personal life, community service, information technology, and cultural values.
The survey indicated that there were many results to be considered, such as safety while going out at night, which was 90.4 percent. The overall satisfaction rate for life was 7.11 compared to 6.5 in OECD.
Happiness indicator was 7.72 in Abu Dhabi emirate compared to 7.5 in the European Union.
The results of the survey also revealed the importance of making initiatives in some fields, such as social support, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, public benefit organizations "Third Sector", voluntary activities, community participation, and family strategy.
The chairman of the Department of Community Development also reviewed the purpose of establishing the department and the significance of its future role to ensure the integration of the services provided to the community. The department will cooperate with the entities working within the community development sector to provide a decent lifestyle for the society of Abu Dhabi Emirate.
The ceremony witnessed an interactive live show about the seven themes for the social development sector. The themes were National ID, Family cohesion, Social integration, Housing, Social support, Volunteering and social engagement and Sport and entertainment.
The Abu Dhabi Social Support Programme was reviewed through the ceremony by the department aiming at providing support to families with limited incomes in addition to enabling their members having the ability to work by qualifying and training them to obtain proper jobs.
Therefore, the 'MAAN' Initiative, included under community development in the Abu Dhabi Programme 'Ghadan 21' was reviewed. It seeks to instil the concept of participation and social contribution of individuals and organisations by launching aspirational plans and quality initiatives that will boost the private sector, public benefit organisations, the role of government entities, as well as individuals, in serving society.
The initiative will be based on four main themes: providing and directing finance to community development institutions, incubating and enhancing civil institutions interested in contribution to facing the social challenges in emirate, focusing on achieving results through the participation of the private sector, and creating opportunities for volunteering in Abu Dhabi.
WAM/Esraa Ismail/Nour Salman
MENAFN2301201900610000ID1098014285
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