"Community Development – Abu Dhabi" It highlights Abu Dhabi’s efforts to enhance the quality of life of people of determination
ABU DHABI, 6th February, 2018 (WAM) – The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi highlighted the integrated efforts led by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to enhance the quality of life of people of determination, and to consolidate the principles of comprehensive inclusion in various sectors, during a coordination meeting held by the Department with the United Nations International Fund on Disability, as it is the only international financing mechanism dedicated to promoting inclusion in the field of disability.
During the meeting held in Abu Dhabi, the Department reviewed the most prominent achievements and initiatives that contributed to developing an integrated system to empower People of Determination, which included supportive policies, developing services, and preparing urban and community environments, to ensure effective and sustainable participation of People of Determination in various aspects of life.
The two sides also discussed prospects for joint cooperation in the People of Determination Friendly Cities and Communities Framework Project, as it is a pioneering model that reflects the emirate’s vision of building inclusive cities and communities, in addition to the Inclusive and Resilient Cities Initiative hosted by the United Nations World Disability Fund, which supports governments around the world in ensuring that their cities are inclusive of all people with disabilities.
This cooperation aims to develop an index of friendly cities for people of determination, which contributes to enhancing independence, equal opportunities, and quality of life for all.
This meeting comes within the framework of the department’s keenness to unify visions with international partners, build on the best global practices in the field of inclusion, and enhance institutional integration in a way that supports Abu Dhabi’s position as a pioneering city in empowering and integrating people of determination at the regional and international levels.
The meeting was attended by His Excellency Eng. Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, and His Excellency Dr. Laila Al Hayas, Executive Director of the Family and Child Welfare Sector in the Department, along with the project team, where they met with Dr. Ola Abu Al Ghaib, Director of the United Nations World Disability Fund.
On this occasion, His Excellency Engineer Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri explained that this cooperation comes as an extension of Abu Dhabi’s continuous efforts to consolidate its position as an inclusive and empowering city for all segments of society, stressing that the Department of Community Development is working to develop a comprehensive system that promotes the adoption of inclusive and sustainable practices in various government and private agencies within the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination.
He added that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is ready to highlight its pioneering experience in integrating and empowering people of determination, and to present the framework of cities and communities friendly to people of determination as a global model that can be benefited from and applied in other cities around the world, reflecting the leadership position that the emirate has reached in building more comprehensive and sustainable urban and humane environments.
For her part, Her Excellency Dr. Laila Abdel Aziz Al-Hayas stressed that cooperation with the United Nations International Fund on Disability constitutes an added value that opens the way for exchanging international experiences and learning about best practices, which contributes to enhancing the reliability of the framework of cities and communities friendly to people of determination and consolidating its leadership at the local and global levels.
Dr. Ola Abu Al-Ghaib expressed her deep appreciation for the pioneering experience led by the Department of Community Development in the field of empowering people of determination, stressing that the partnership with Abu Dhabi represents an inspiring model of international cooperation in the field of inclusion.
She said that the Department of Community Development has demonstrated a firm commitment to applying a comprehensive approach in designing policies and initiatives supporting people of determination, while the Inclusive City Initiative is a pivotal step towards achieving more inclusive, just and equitable cities that guarantee all individuals access and full participation in society.
She pointed out that the framework of cities and communities friendly to people of determination represents a roadmap for developing cities and communities that take into account the requirements of comprehensive access in the physical and digital environments, ensure the availability of inclusive services across various sectors, and contribute to building an urban and humanitarian system that guarantees dignity and equal opportunities for all.
She added that the World Disability Fund looks forward to cooperating with these initiatives to enhance implementation efforts and expand the scope of impact
With this cooperation, Abu Dhabi continues to consolidate its pioneering model in building an inclusive society that guarantees equal opportunities and fair access for all, and paves the way for the adoption of new global standards in the inclusion and empowerment of people of determination.
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