"Knowledge dialogues" It sheds light on the mechanisms of keeping pace with the changes of the era, psychologically and digitally

Dubai, 8 May / WAM / The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation organized a number of “Knowledge Dialogues” sessions, the leading knowledge series that aims to provide dialogue spaces to exchange visions and experiences on various topics that affect the lives of individuals in the age of digitalization.

The sessions, which witnessed a wide digital presence, highlighted two main axes: psychological resilience as a mechanism for dealing with change and uncertainty and digital safety as a shield to protect against the dangers of the times within knowledge spaces that brought together experts from academic circles, field experiences, and practical applications.

The first session was titled “With Flexible Minds We Face Change,” during which Dr. Saliha Afridi, clinical psychologist, founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of The LightHouse Arabia Center, discussed the nature of the state of “uncertainty” that modern people experience in their daily lives, from the work environment to health and social relationships.

Through an integrated, systematic presentation, Afridi explained that the human brain deals with the unknown as a direct threat, which stimulates fear and stress responses and may lead to chronic anxiety, or what is known as “psychological burnout,” if it is not dealt with consciously.

The session focused on the fact that psychological flexibility is not an innate gift that some individuals possess but not others, but rather a skill that can be learned, developed and trained daily. The session explained that this flexibility represents the decisive factor that determines whether the individual will break under the weight of pressure or will bend and then return to his balance faster and stronger.

Afridi presented a plan for dealing with change and uncertainty from a practical psychological perspective that is based on five main abilities to build and enhance psychological resilience, which are regulating the nervous system and building mental flexibility, in addition to developing curiosity and positive thinking, strengthening positive relationships, and consolidating internal stability and personal identity.

The second session was held under the title “Be Smart…Stay Safe Digitally,” presented by Afraa Al Mansouri, a senior systems engineer at the Dubai Digital Authority, during which she addressed the importance of digital safety and raising awareness of the risks associated with the daily use of technology.

It reviewed the most prominent electronic threats that the average Internet user faces on an almost daily basis, including phishing emails, fake websites, malware, identity theft, and financial fraud.

The session discussed a set of guidelines and practices to enhance digital security, such as using two-factor authentication for all important accounts, following the principles of safe browsing, such as verifying website addresses, as well as periodically updating systems, programs, and applications, and not sharing important personal data, with the aim of enabling individuals to use the Internet safely and responsibly.

The “Knowledge Dialogues” sessions, with their renewed content and diverse topics, reflect the role of the series as a pioneering knowledge platform that builds bridges between experts and the public and makes dialogue a way of life and challenges opportunities for growth, thus embodying the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation’s commitment to enhancing societal awareness and enabling individuals to acquire the cognitive, psychological and technical skills necessary to meet the challenges of the times.

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