Engaging children in shaping UAE's future at Sharjah forum

Sharjah - Week-long Sharjah Arab Children Forum ends on positive note.

The Sharjah Arab Children Forum (SACF) 2016 ended on Sunday with a recommendation that children's opinions be taken into consideration for the develop-ment of national plans and strategies.
The week-long event con-cluded with a number of recommendations by SACF's Supreme Organising Committee that highlighted the need to listen to Arab children and engage them in formulating policies that concern their future. The recommendations were derived from educational programmes and workshops organised alongside the forum held under the patronage of Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.
They were announced during the closing ceremony of SACF 2016, which took place at the headquarters of Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah in the presence of Reem Bin Karam, Head of SACF's Supreme Organising Committee; Noura Mohammed Mubarak, Deputy Head of SACF's Supreme Organising Committee; representatives and heads of Arab delegations taking part in the forum and Arab chil-dren participating in the event.
SACF's Supreme Organising Committee called for the need to introduce and develop new meth-ods to strengthen pan-Arab bonds between Arab children and support youth in Arab countries affected by conflict and disasters.
It also recommended that Arab educational institutions cooperate to develop special programmes for gifted and creative Arab children. The committee underlined that the annual SACF event should be adopted as a sustainable platform for intercommunication and cultural exchange between Arab children.
It said that Arab countries must encourage future generations to use alternative energy and help build smart and sustainable cities of the future. The committee emphasised the creative aspects of youth and highlighted its important role in developing children's expressive abilities.The committee revealed that a special e-gate will be included on the SACF website to enable Arab children who participated in the forum to keep in touch with the programme throughout the year and to facilitate communication between them.
It also nominated a number of out-standing children to participate in similar events at Sharjah Children Centres and Sajaya Young Ladies.
"We view the recommendations by the forum's Supreme Organising Committee to be a working plan to develop the forum in its forthcoming editions. These recommendations are a result of the proposed ideas and suggestions made by the children during their participation in educational, training and entertaining programmes organised throughout the week-long event," said Reem BinKaram.
BinKaram expressed delight at the positive outcomes of the forum that would not have been possible without the children's contributions. She thanked all those who contributed to the forum, extending special gratitude to sponsors, organisers and volunteers who had a significant role in its success. reporters@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Sharjah