SCC committee strengthens social cohesion

This meeting was part of the ongoing work of the third regular session of the eleventh legislative term. The purpose of the meeting was to review the Department's roles and community programmes, and to discuss its work in preparation for discussing its policies during upcoming council sessions.

The meeting was attended by Saeed Matar bin Hamed Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Family Affairs Committee, and committee members Rashid Ghanem Al Shamsi, Rapporteur of the Committee, Mohammed Al Alawi Al Dhaheri, Abdullah Rashid bin Maadan, and Abdullah Salem Al Kaabi. Also present were Dr Hind Saleh Al Hajri, member of SCC, Sheikha Al Dhanin Al Naqbi, member of SCC, and from the General Secretariat of the Council, Sumaya Jassim Al Hamoudi, Head of the Members' Affairs Department, Abdullah Al Sufi, Secretary of the Council, and Dr Islam Al Shiwi, media expert. From the Department of Districts Affairs in the Emirate of Sharjah: Dr. Abdullah Suleiman Al Kabouri, Director of the Department; Rashid Ali Al Ghawi, Director of the Legal Affairs Office; and Hamad Saeed Al Ghafli, Director of the Director's Office.

Consolidating family stability and strengthening social cohesion

The meeting began with a welcoming address from the Chairman of the Family Affairs Committee, who conveyed the greetings of the Chairperson of the Consultative Council, the Secretary-General, and the members of the Council. He also welcomed the Director of SDAD and the attendees, praising the efforts made to consolidate family stability and strengthen social cohesion, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The Director of the Department also welcomed the attendees from the Sharjah Consultative Council, commending the Council's commitment to continuous communication with the Department and its various councils, including the Suburbs Councils and the Parents' Councils.

He emphasised the importance of partnership and integration with SCC in serving the community.

Engaging suburbs councils and community segments

The meeting included a comprehensive review of the department's efforts to enhance social cohesion through the suburbs councils spread across the emirate. These councils serve as effective platforms for direct communication with residents, conveying their needs and suggestions to relevant authorities, as well as their role in organising community initiatives and strengthening family ties.

The meeting also addressed targeted initiatives aimed at engaging various segments of society, particularly youth, in developing community initiatives and leveraging their energy to support community work.

Ensuring effective representation of residential areas

SDAD presented its strategic framework and performance indicators for measuring the impact of initiatives and programmes. It also discussed the mechanisms for selecting suburb council members based on social and geographical criteria that ensure effective representation of residential areas, while emphasising the importance of the members' community role in serving the suburbs residents.

The meeting further discussed the legislative and regulatory frameworks governing the work of the department, the suburb councils, and the student parent councils. It also addressed the updates implemented in recent years to clarify responsibilities and improve performance efficiency, thereby enabling the councils to fulfil their community roles effectively and efficiently.

The meeting addressed the department's efforts in monitoring and studying social phenomena in cooperation with relevant authorities, and developing appropriate solutions. It also discussed the role of the councils in supporting families, organising events, and enhancing the quality of social life in residential neighbourhoods.

Organising programmes and events according to suburbs needs

Mechanisms for coordination with government entities and the integration of roles in service delivery were also discussed, along with the move towards developing databases, expanding digital transformation, and linking them with relevant entities.

Regarding initiatives, the meeting reviewed the diverse programmes and events implemented by the councils according to the needs of each suburb, highlighting successful practices that can be applied and replicated. Performance evaluation mechanisms among the councils were also discussed, along with measuring the quality of outputs and fostering healthy competition.

Plans for maintaining and developing existing councils and future projects to establish new councils in several areas to meet the needs of population growth were also addressed.

The meeting concluded by emphasising the importance of continued coordination and integration between SCC and SDAD. This collaboration aims to enhance community development, support family stability, and fulfil the aspirations of the residents of the Emirate of Sharjah across its various suburbs.