Community Development Authority highlights Dubai’s social development initiatives at International Social Sector Forum 2009

The Community Development Authority (CDA) participated in the International Social Sector Forum 2009 held recently in Berlin and co-sponsored by IBM, under the theme ‘Social Security and Social Services 2020: Managing through turbulence, delivering for the future’. Leaders from governments and leading social sector organizations and academia, participated in the forum, and examined key issues related to the social sector such as social security and social politics. They highlighted examples of best practice and suggested how the social services system will continue to evolve. Participants from CDA were led by Her Excellency Dr Maryam Matar, Director General, and included Dr Tarek Hashim Ibrahim, Head of Research Administration and Acting Head of Strategic Planning; Mr Ghassan Khalil, Advisor for Social Policy and Strategic Planning; and Miss Badriya Al Shamsi, Head of Programmes. Her Excellency Dr Matar explained CDA’s activities and initiatives in the field of social development and the objective of making Dubai an inspiring model in community well-being and national identity. She also presented a paper on ‘Integration of Social Protection Policies into the National Development Agenda’. Dr Matar explained that CDA seeks to promote national identity and social protection so all can enjoy security and social welfare through an integrated system of social protection. Dr Matar’s presentation was met with great interest from all attendees who expressed their admiration of the long-term plans that are compatible with the needs of the community, especially as they follow best practices in the framework of UAE culture and traditions. Alongside the conference, Dr Maryam Matar held meetings with the President of The International Social Security Association who eagerly accepted CDA’s membership in the association. The visiting delegation from CDA also met representatives from IBM and toured the Industry Solution Center of the company. -Ends- Note to editors: Community Development Authority (CDA): The CDA is a government entity mandated with enhancing the social development in Dubai to achieve the Dubai strategic plan 2015 which was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on February 2007. The CDA will work towards promoting and raising the social standards in Dubai, and increasing the role of citizens in the community by cooperating with concerned entities in order to achieve the goals of the development sector and to develop the basic structure necessary for this. The CDA will work on setting up the necessary policies and standards pertaining to social services providers based on its five strategic goals including promotion of national identity, social protection, social inclusion, social empowerment, and social cohesion in Dubai.