ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, March 26th 2014
Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, visited the ABILITIES me Exhibition and Conference at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) on Tuesday. It is worth mentioning that ABILITIES me Exhibition and Conference is positioned as a strategic and grassroots corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, aimed at supporting people with disabilities and special needs communities.
In a speech delivered for this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Saif stressed that His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, dedicates the utmost attention and care for the people of this country, especially people with disabilities, out of his belief that they are an important and productive segment of the UAE’s society that deserve support and care. Moreover, His Highness expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the efforts of all those who have contributed to the integration of people with disabilities in the community.
His Highness Sheikh Saif also visited the UAE Disabled Sports Federation’s pavilion, where he was received by Mohammed Mohammed Fadel Al Hameli, UAE Disabled Sports Federation’s Chairman. Al Hameli briefed His Highness on the various Paralympics activities and sports held on the sidelines of the exhibition. Furthermore, His Highness met with the UAE National Wheelchair Basketball Team, and praised their positive influence and their community-based capabilities. He also urged them to keep forging ahead to elevate the nation’s reputation in various sporting tournaments and events.
His Highness Sheikh Saif also reviewed a number of events organized by the ABILITIES me initiative. Shereen Jassim Al Nowais, Founder and CEO of Taleem Training and Skills Development Center, briefed His Highness on the center and its functions. “Taleem Training and Skills Development Center (TTC) is a first-of-its-kind learning center in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is dedicated to diagnose and support children with learning disabilities,” said Al Nowais.
The ABILITIES me initiative features volunteer work, sports and social events, various workshops for people with special needs, and a thought leadership conference. His Highness Sheikh Saif praised this initiative and its noble mission and work. “This initiative is vital and highly beneficial for our society. It raises awareness about disability and people with disabilities, and endeavors to change society’s perception towards them. It also helps to highlight people with disabilities’ talents and skills by following best practices,” noted His Highness.
His Highness Sheikh Saif also commended the organizers of the exhibition, expressing his admiration of the exhibits by the disabled and participating institutions. They include myriad technologies, innovations, recent scientific discoveries, advanced infrastructures for sports, all focused on improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. His Highness lauded the achievements made by people with disabilities that he touted as astonishing and amazing. “They are sophisticated products designed to improve the lives of people with disabilities, and are on par with the achievements of healthy people,” noted His Highness.
His Highness was accompanied during the visit by Major General Staff Dr. Obeid Al Kutbi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police and Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the International Exhibition for Security and National Resilience (ISNR Abu Dhabi 2014); Mohammed Mohammed Fadel Al Hamli, Vice Chairman and the Secretary General of the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs; James Mills, Project Director of the “ABILITIES me” initiative; and a number of officials and senior participants.
For his part, Mohammed Al Hamli emphasized His Highness’ visit reflects the attention devoted by the higher leadership towards the people with special needs, to help them make the various achievements in the different forums. “The Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs is keen to participate in social events, as part of its efforts to reach out to the largest segment of society, with a view to sensitize and educate them,” said Al Hamli.
The MoI Child Protection Centre (CPC) took part in the exhibition by educating the public on the means to ensure the safety and security of children, as well as raising awareness of children with disabilities to protect them against all risks.
The exhibition provides the center with the opportunity to connect directly with children with disabilities, and organizations concerned with the care of children. “The visitors were briefed on the objectives of the center and its role in coordinating with the concerned authorities, with a view to strengthen the state’s efforts in this aspect,” concluded Al Hamli.
Commenting on the same subject, Lieutenant Colonel Faisal Mohammed Al Shammari, Director of the Ministry of Interior's Child Protection Center, underscored the commitment of the Ministry of Interior to provide the best services to the community. “It strives to achieve this goal by devising the necessary tasks to improve policing and community work, and by adopting international best practices and adequate systems to protect children and families, being the backbone of the future and the cornerstone and foundation of the nation,” emphasized Al Shammari.
Lieutenant Colonel Al Shammari also explained that the Child Protection Center’s participation in the exhibition provides it with the opportunity to identify the challenges and risks faced by children with disabilities, the means to protect them from abuse, and therefore establishing standards to protect them and communicate with this important segment of society.
Enclosed Cadre
Saif Bin Zayed Hugs a Saudi Child with Down’s Syndrome
In a fatherly and caring gesture, Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed hugged Faisal Al Awad, a five-year old Saudi child with Down’s syndrome. The child had come all the way from Saudi Arabia to participate in the awareness-raising and volunteer campaign “Don't let me down”, held as part of the ABILITIES me initiative. The commemorative snapshot reflected His Highness Sheikh Saif’s humanitarian values towards people with special needs in general, particularly children.
For more information about:
The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE
Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE
Follow us and check our Social Media feeds on: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
Contacts
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/10449/en
No comments:
Post a Comment