The legal and organizational frameworks for the social services sector in Dubai and the cooperation channels between the Community Development Authority (CDA) and the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) were discussed during a meeting held earlier this week at the ministry. An official delegation from the CDA headed by H.E. Dr. Maryam Matar, Director General of CDA met H.E. Abdullah Rashid Al Suwaidi, Director General of MoSA and other officials at the ministry, in a move towards establishing a clear collaboration structure.
The CDA was recently launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, with a mandate to become the umbrella organization unifying the social services entities operating in Dubai through regulations and supervision. The Authority is currently in the midst of developing a strategic plan for the social sector through comprehensive research and analysis and in close collaboration with the established social local and federal entities, to understand the most important social issues and opportunities for social development in Dubai.
The newly established entity will be working closely with the Ministry of Social Affairs which is the federal authority looking after the social needs across the different emirates. The MoSA also plays a regulatory role which was touched upon during the meeting in an effort to set the basis of the cooperative relationship between the CDA and the ministry.
CDA officials put forward the best global practices and benchmarks that the Authority will take into consideration as it starts rolling out its various plans over the next few months. Both parties also confirmed their commitment to initiate researches with a local focus as well as keeping up-to-date with the latest social services trends and the best practices across the world. Officials from CDA and the MoSA also discussed the establishment of a joint research centre to help identify social needs and offer solutions accordingly.
“We look forward to working closely with the Ministry of Social Affairs to create continuous social wellbeing and belonging for everyone in Dubai where everyone feels protected, included and empowered,” said Dr. Matar.
She added: “At CDA, we believe that sound social development is key to sustainable growth and we strive to ensure all people in need have complete access to quality social services. From that perspective, we are very keen on understanding the real needs of people through research and field trips as well as the coordination with the already established social bodies, especially when their role is as wide and essential as that of the Ministry.”
