CDA Collaboration with Local NGOs Continues
Visit to Human Rights Association to Discuss Joint Initiatives
As part of its efforts to create a comprehensive overview of the current social and community related issues, and to create a platform for future collaboration, a delegation from the Community Development Authority (CDA), headed by Dr. Maryam Mattar, Director General of the Authority, met recently with officials from the UAE’s Human Rights Association (HRA) to discuss opportunities for cooperation on future activities and community initiatives in Dubai.
During the meeting, the HRA officials presented to CDA their existing and future campaigns aimed at promoting respect for human rights in the country. CDA and HRA executives also discussed ways of cooperating to improve the level of social and community focused initiatives with a view on maximizing the efficiency of the programs that are in progress. The HRA presented Dr. Maryam Mattar with a commemorative plate recognizing her efforts to elevate social standards in the UAE and improve social conditions.
Dr. Mattar said, “I am very happy to meet with the HRA and look forward to working with them to achieve our common goals. As the umbrella of social activities in Dubai, we will be organizing and regulating the social sector and working with all NGOs. Therefore it is essential for the CDA to meet with the various entities especially the HRA to get their perspective on the social and community issues and to combine the efforts to deal with them according to best global practices and in line with the Dubai Strategy.”
Abdul Gaffar Hussain, Chairman of the HRA, said: “We are proud to be amongst the first social institutions to be officially visited by the CDA. Our association strives to uphold issues and causes on the basis of humanitarian and legal grounds, and to ensure the legal rights of residents, regardless of their nationality, are upheld and respected. The CDA has the same goals so it is a logical and positive step for us to discuss the means through which we can collaborate. We hope this is the start of a long and prosperous relationship towards spread the human rights culture in Dubai.”
It is noteworthy that the CDA aims to attain the goals of Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, declared by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in February, 2007, by setting up and developing frameworks for social development. It will be specifically working towards enhancing social cohesion, social inclusion, social protection, empowerment and promoting the national identity.
