HE stressed that the Ihtimam Initiative for Social Innovation which is being overseen by HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, embodies the keenness of the UAE leadership to serve the community and reach out to people, and reflects the extent of interaction between the leadership and members of the community. He emphasized that the success of the initiative could only be achieved through effective communication with the society members and encouraging them to submit suggestions and ideas aimed at development of the local community.

The assertions of HE came during the Human Resource Club Forum, held by FAHR recently in Dubai, which highlighted Ihtimam Initiative, under the slogan: “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future - Expo 2020 Dubai: UAE’s Successful Bid to Host the Event”. The Forum was attended by HE Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Director General of FAHR, HE Nasser Thani Al Hamli, Assistant Undersecretary of Government Coordination Sector at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the Initiative’s team members, Ms. Hind Al Shamsi, Dubai Expo 2020 Spokesperson, in addition to dozens of HR Club members and a number of executives and directors of departments and employees of FAHR.

According to HE, the issue of Emiratization in the private sector will be a major concern for a large segment of the community, especially as it is one the first issues that have been raised at the interactive website of “Ihtimam Initiative for Social Innovation”. He called on everyone to interact with this subject, which has become a vital issue of national priority.

Commenting on the UAE’s winning bid to host Expo 2020, HE pointed out that this victory was outstanding, especially in light of the intense competition among big and prestigious countries to win the honor of hosting the event, noting that this achievement is added to the State’s excellent track record at all levels, expressing his confidence that the UAE will present the whole world with a great example of cultural innovation, which will enhance the global confidence in the UAE.

During the presentation given by the “Ihtimam Initiative” team, HE Nasser Al Hamli, Assistant Undersecretary of Government Coordination Sector at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, described the initiative as one of the most important strategic frameworks which aims to involve the community in the formulation of national projects that contribute to improve service in   the UAE on all levels and in different sectors.

He explained that the door to participate in the initiative is open for all social sectors, confirming that every issue takes about three months from submission of the proposal, reviewing it, development of ideas and formulation of the initiative in its final form. The outcome is then put up for members of the community for a vote within 10 days, to adopt the initiatives that receive the highest vote from the public, and refer them to the competent authority to start taking necessary steps.

HE Al Hamli added that the Ministry of Presidential Affairs will reward individuals or groups whose constructive ideas or suggestions are implemented, so as to encourage all members of the community to participate in the development of their homeland and achievement of the UAE Vision 2021.

A team from the Ministry of Presidential Affairs gave a detailed presentation on Ihtimam Initiative, explaining that it aims to create creative channels of communication to ensure effective community participation in the development of national initiatives, and provision of quality and excellence in government services in line with the vision of the UAE leadership.

According to the team, the program is an upgraded version of the initiatives previously launched by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in 2007, and implemented by the Ministry’s Government Coordination sector, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, to allow for the largest segment of the community to submit their views and proposals for the development of government services at federal and local levels.

The team members stated that the first and foremost aim of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to develop the program as an interactive “Ihtimam” website, is to involve the community members in making national initiatives, as the wise UAE leadership pays careful attention to and welcomes their views and suggestions. The team added that participation of the public in proposing and designing national initiatives has become instrumental in the development of the UAE government strategies.

They noted that the Ministry of Presidential Affairs put forward through the interactive website, the issue of “Emiratization in the Private Sector", raising   wide public debate, and allowing opportunity to citizens to give their views on how to encourage nationals to join the private sector. More than 500 participants posted suggestions, focusing on appropriate solutions to encourage citizens to join the private sector employment, and raising the issue of Emiratization in a bid to change the stereotyping image in the citizens’ minds of working in the private sector.

Hind Al Shamsi: Expo 2020 will act as the region’s gateway

For her part, Ms. Hind Al Shamsi, the official Spokesperson of Expo 2020 Dubai, gave a presentation highlighting Dubai’s successful bid to host Expo 2020 Dubai, pointing out that Expo 2020 carries new hopes and aspirations for future international exhibitions, because it represents a global event which will bring together the largest gathering of countries, visitors and organizations across various sectors and geographical regions.

She pointed out that UAE’s bid to host this global event received wide local, Arab and international support, as it is expected to host the largest number of visitors in the history of World Expo, which runs for more than 160 years. 

Al Shamsi thinks that Expo 2020 will act as a gateway for companies and countries participating in the event to enter the region, boost investment and sustainable development, and will also showcase a unique and unprecedented experience for visitors, being a renowned event for innovation, entertainment and learning, in addition to the great infrastructure of the UAE in general and the Emirate of Dubai in particular, in terms of hospitality facilities, accommodation and entertainment, services, and many others.

She reviewed the history of the World Expo, which occurs every five years and lasts for six months, the last being held in Shanghai, and the next will be in the Italian city of Milan. She noted that the World Expo is the third largest global event in terms of attendance and economic and cultural impact after the Fifa World Cup and the Olympic Games, and that its importance lies in the fact that it conveys an essential message on humane values.

“We wanted to prove that the UAE is capable of hosting a global event of this magnitude that would create links between different sectors and institutions and provide opportunity for creative thinking”, she said.

Hind Al Shamsi, revealed plans for establishing a center for research, a university and a national museum to support this global event, which provides an opportunity for millions of people who have never visited this exhibition before, and gives a glimmer of hope for the other Arab States.

At the end of the Forum, His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami presented commemorative shields to all speakers.