"Family development" organize "Family councils" In cooperation with "I can" And Abu Dhabi councils
ABU DHABI, 26 JANUARY / WAM / The Family Development Foundation organized the “Family Councils” initiative, in cooperation with the Khalifa Empowerment Program – “Aqdar”, and “Abu Dhabi Councils” at the Office of Citizens and Community Affairs in the Presidential Office, and in the presence of His Excellency Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, where he gave a lecture during the session entitled “Positive Citizenship Values in the Emirati Family”, at the Seal Council in Abu Dhabi.
The initiative comes in line with the main directions of the Year of the Family, and based on the belief in the role of the family as the basic nucleus of society, the first line of defense for the nation, the incubator of values, and the guarantee of the sustainability of community cohesion across generations, as a series of lectures and dialogue sessions will be implemented on a quarterly basis, targeting families, senior citizens, and youth, with the aim of enhancing communication between generations, transferring experiences, and consolidating authentic national values.
His Excellency Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili stressed that the UAE’s wise leadership’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of the Family embodies the wise leadership’s interest in the family and its pivotal role in building society, strengthening national belonging, and consolidating authentic Emirati customs and traditions in the souls of children.
He discussed the concept of exceptional leadership in the UAE, pointing to the founding leadership that laid the foundations of the union, and the empowerment leadership that led the process of institutional development, and kept pace with the rapid transformations through the creation of specialized ministries, the development of government services, and the promotion of digital transformation, as government services became accessible to everyone via smart phones, and platforms such as the Ministry of Interior application and the Tam platform, in addition to remote notary and notary services.
He also reviewed the features of positive citizenship in ancient Emirati society, which was a behavior rooted in daily life, embodied in solidarity and social solidarity, respect for leadership, teamwork, defense of the land and society, patience and self-reliance, and contributed to preserving society and maintaining its cohesion in a difficult environment.
In the same context, he touched on positive citizenship in the modern UAE, as a practical translation of national belonging, based on adherence to the law, community participation, volunteering, preserving public gains, consolidating the values of tolerance and coexistence, assuming digital responsibility, striving towards excellence and productivity, supporting sustainability and building the future.
His Excellency stressed that a positive citizen is one who embodies love of the homeland in word and deed, and is characterized by national awareness, loyalty to leadership, loyalty, respect for laws, tolerance, and active participation in serving society.
For his part, His Excellency Abdul Rahman Al Balushi, Director of the Department of Strategic Planning and Institutional Development at the Family Development Foundation, stressed in the opening speech of the session that this session comes out of the Foundation’s keenness to continuously communicate with members of families and society, and to listen closely to their needs, while focusing the bulk of its concerns on senior citizens and their families, by enhancing their quality of life and enriching their vital role in transmitting experiences and values to future generations.
He added that community partnership between institutions and members of society is considered a fundamental pillar for achieving family stability, as it enables us to work together to meet social needs and strengthen family and community ties. From this standpoint, the Foundation seeks to build effective bridges of communication with society, in cooperation with its strategic partners, in a way that contributes to raising the awareness of family members and society about the issues affecting family cohesion and community cohesion and ways to deal with them.
He added that these partnerships enable the maximum benefit from periodic meetings with senior citizens and their families, to design programs and services that elevate their experience and meet their aspirations, stressing the importance of the role of the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Khalifa Empowerment Program – Aqdar, as an effective strategic partner that left a meaningful imprint and tangible impact in activating initiatives and programs that contributed to enhancing community awareness.
He pointed out that the Family Development Foundation has made a pledge to itself since its founding, under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Emirates,” President of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, to care for senior citizens within the scope of its work, in addition to family and social care for all members of society. The Foundation has expanded in this framework through its centers spread across the emirate in Abu Dhabi, the Al Dhafra region, and Al Ain, and has continued this approach according to an ambitious, driven vision. With keen thought and a realistic outlook towards the future.
He explained that the Foundation, in accordance with its new specializations that came after the amendment of its founding law at the end of 2024, pays great attention to the category of senior citizens, and is keen to provide them with psychological and social support, and works to integrate them into society, in accordance with the vision and directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Emirates”, which aims to provide an appropriate environment for our seniors, which reflects the social values of care and attention, as they are the basic pillar of society, and they have a major role in building the nation and its renaissance.
He added that one of the most prominent initiatives offered by the Foundation is the “Barakatna” initiative, which aims to enhance the quality of life of senior citizens within the Abu Dhabi comprehensive social care system, and support those who care for them within an integrated family and community framework, as well as social clubs for senior citizens, which represent a vital platform for enhancing their quality of life, enabling them to communicate and interact with their community, and participating in social, cultural, and recreational activities, which contributes to enhancing their sense of belonging and appreciation and supports their positive interaction with their surroundings.
His Excellency Al Balushi stressed that the success of the Family Development Foundation in providing its programs and services depends on the extent of its connection with priority social issues, to ensure the provision of effective and innovative solutions that meet the diverse needs of senior citizens and their families, and enhance their well-being and quality of life. The Foundation will continue to make redoubled efforts to enhance the quality of life of senior citizens, as they are the pride of society and the role model of the family, the symbol of dedication, the spirit of the nation and its wealth, and the basis of its growth and renaissance.
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