The Department of Community Development (DCD) has unveiled the details of the Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy – a wide-ranging plan to further strengthen families as the foundation of a connected, cohesive and productive society that contributes to the emirate’s success.

The strategy, which was approved by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, will prioritise every member of every family, from children and youth, and parents and caregivers, to seniors, through 30 innovative initiatives, which include supporting parents in raising their children with strong family values and a sense of national identity from their early years. The initiatives also include supporting and meeting the needs of senior citizens, to ensure a good quality of life and a bright future for all family members.

Among the planned initiatives are new centres to support marriage preparation, enabling couples and individuals to build fulfilling and healthy relationships, and to provide them with helpful techniques that support family cohesion and parenting. Other initiatives include financial literacy training and financial planning guidance for every generation, a new family preparation and counselling centre, work-life balance policies, a life skills programme, as well as community centres and policies to support seniors and enhance their wellbeing.

The strategy will be implemented by local and federal entities from across the public, private and social sectors: including the Department of Community Development, the Family Care Authority, the Family Development Foundation, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, the Crown Prince Court, the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma’an, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, the Human Resources Authority, the Abu Dhabi Police, the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, the Abu Dhabi Center for Sheltering and Humanitarian Care - Ewa’a, the Abu Dhabi School of Government, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education, and the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Community Development.

Commenting on the launch of the strategy, His Excellency Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, said: “The Abu Dhabi Wellbeing Strategy is the culmination of a robust and highly collaborative process with leading partners to develop projects and innovative programmes that empower all family members. The strategy aims to build strong foundations for families and support the advancement of socioeconomic development by leveraging opportunities available to them in every area. An investment in the wellbeing of youth is an investment in future generations, and builds a strong foundation that advances socioeconomic development and benefits us all. Likewise, the family unit as a whole serves as the binder of society; while seniors are an asset, as their skills, knowledge and experience are resources that can be leveraged by current and future generations.”

The Department of Community Development held meetings with more than 30 entities to understand current strategies and plans, as well as enablers related to quality of life and social challenges.

DCD also organised 23 focus groups, including sessions to analyse social challenges with different groups of society as well as the social sector's workforce, in addition to holding 16 interviews with leaders across Abu Dhabi Government to discuss national priorities and ways to further enhance quality of life in the emirate.