ABU DHABI, 15th May, 2023 (WAM) – The Department of Community Development (DCD) organised an International Day of Families celebration on Sunday, in collaboration with several entities, including the Family Development Foundation, the Department of Education and Knowledge, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an.
The event, held at Al-Qana in Rabdan, brought together families from Abu Dhabi for various age-appropriate activities and interactive workshops. The celebration aimed to emphasize the significance of spending quality time with family members and how close-knit families can contribute to building a more connected and cohesive society.
The DCD also presented a mental health guide for parents and a virtual reality platform for senior citizens and residents to enhance communication skills. The International Day of Families is commemorated every year on May 15th to recognize the essential role of families in communities worldwide.
Dr. Layla Abdulaziz Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Community Development sector at the DCD, highlighted the importance of families in progressing society and its development, stating that the existence of an international day dedicated to families showcases this significance. She added that the nation's leadership places great importance on the family unit as it is vital to raising children and building a stable and aware society that constructively contributes to the country.
Al Hyas emphasized the pivotal role parents play in nurturing their children through meaningful communication, meeting their emotional and psychological needs at different ages, and strengthening the relationship between fathers and children. She emphasized that this helps protect children from developing negative behaviors, as proven by research on parenting.
The DCD has made it a priority to support the stability and growth of families by enacting legislation and developing programs and initiatives that protect them from abuse.
Mohammed Khalfan Aldhaheri, Acting Executive Director of Community Engagement and Volunteering at Ma'an, expressed his pleasure in working alongside the DCD to celebrate International Family Day through various activities and workshops. Aldhaheri explained that Ma'an's "Journey of Generations" program focuses on senior citizens and aims to create intergenerational cohesion by building relationships between them and volunteers in Abu Dhabi. He added that Ma'an's programs and initiatives are designed to connect communities and build an inclusive society by prioritizing social needs and bringing people together.
Aldhaheri invited visitors to learn more about Ma'an's projects and how to get involved by visiting their stand at the event. He also mentioned that the Ma'an app will be displayed on a screen for visitors to download and contribute to projects and initiatives that align with their values and priorities, allowing them to be part of achieving a positive impact and strengthening family unity in the Emirate.
The FDF conducted interactive workshops at the event, including a positive parenting workshop that identified the skills necessary for a disciplinary approach that builds a child's personality, establishing a generation with robust psychological health. The FDF also highlighted the Barkitna card, which is granted to senior citizens and residents over 60 years registered in the foundation's database, providing them access to all the services and facilities provided by governmental and semi-governmental entities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Abdulrahman Al Balushi, Director of the Department of Strategic Planning and Institutional Development at the Family Development Foundation, emphasized the importance of the family as the real nucleus from which society is formed, primarily responsible for the upbringing, education, and care of children. He added that the FDF works to achieve its goals in accordance with the vision of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), focusing on the cohesion and protection of families.
Al Balushi praised Sheikha Fatima's significant role in empowering families in Emirati society through her royal directives that drive the development of services provided by the FDF. He also lauded the FDF's participation in the International Day of Families through interactive workshops that seek to enhance the quality of family life.
Asmaa Al Azri, Executive Director of the Family Cases Sector at the Family Care Authority in Abu Dhabi, explained that their workshop dealt with the importance of parental roles and aimed to raise awareness about improving the quality of family relations. Al Azri also highlighted how families played a key role in promoting socialisation and the ability to deal with challenges, both of which strengthen the family bond and eventually shape the identity of society.
Other entities also participated in their workshops and programmes, including the Authority for Community Contribution – Ma'an presenting the “Journey of Generations” programme, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council presenting the “Abu Dhabi 360” application, the Department of Education and Knowledge participating in the “Once Upon a Time Storyteller Cart,” and the Family Care Authority organising an awareness workshop entitled “My Fingerprint in My Family” to enhance the role of the family in society.