UAE residents make resolutions to make the world a better place

Residents volunteer to hit the streets to create awareness about issues like food wastage, green environment etc.

As the new year and a new decade, there is much to reflect on as well as look forward to. While the tradition of making New Year resolutions lives on, a research shows that it has an 80 per cent failure rate which is why many UAE residents are now changing strategy. In order to truly make this year better than the last, people are now making resolutions that are not self-directed or selfish.
Taking steps to create a sustainable, plastic-free society and being friendly to the people of determination are some of the goals residents want to realise in 2020. As the UAE prepares for next 50 years, residents volunteer to hit the streets to create awareness about issues like food wastage, green environment etc. While some pledge to be grateful to people around them by spending quality time with them, others vow to use their creativity and time to spread awareness about social causes.
 

Let's make a perfect nation
Emirati orchestra composer Eman Al Hashimi seeks to spread the word about plastic pollution, health and food wastage. 
"My resolution is to highlight the need for using less plastic. This is an important step to save the environment. For the sake of humanity and tackling issues like poverty, we should not waste food. Not to forget the efforts needed to raise awareness about risks of using mobilephones while driving vehicles. I wish to stress on family health and women empowerment. The UAE is competing to be a perfect country in all fields. Everyone should step in and raise awareness."
Find sustainable ways to live
Emirati jewellery designer Azza Al Qubaisi will spread her passion for sustainable art.
"For the past many years I have been reusing palm branches in my art work. This year, I wish to exhibit it at a venue and showcase the beauty and diversity of the natural material. A big goal is to get people to know about local materials and resources and connect them to the fabric of the past but in a modern context.
Creating art with recycled material is a beautiful way of getting attention of the general public and creating awareness among different nationalities.
"Also I try and convert organic waste to compost in my home. I will create awareness among community to stop using single-use plastic and find more sustainable methods of living."

Work towards inclusive world
As the country implements new policies to empower the people of determination, Amal Sabry, managing director of Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Autism Centre, aims to make more people aware about the power of autism. Sabry strives to create a more inclusive society.
"My goal for 2020 is to continue to raise awareness about strengths and challenges of autistic people and their families. The strengths of autism are often overlooked. Inclusion for autistic individuals is our legacy - in schools, workforce and society at large," Sabry said.
"This year, our biggest goal is to partner with more CSR leaders from private and public sectors. We will optimise partnerships for benefit of corporations and people of determination."
Forging meaningful bonds
Interior design director Maliha Nishat believes that the new decade is not just a time to reprioritise our lives and set goals but also to be grateful to our family and friends for always being there.
"My one biggest wish and New Year resolution is to be happier than 2019 and nothing can make me happier than seeing a smile on the faces of people I care about. In the hectic lifestyle, the needs of family members are usually overlooked. Parents busy raising their own children may forget their own parents, assuming they can take care of themselves or will speak up if they need help. This is not always the case. Older people are often reluctant to share their growing frailty, loneliness or isolation with their children. The reason I relocated to Dubai was to be closer to my family and I want to make it count by spending more time with my loved ones and being there for them."
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com 
saman@khaleejtimes.com 
 

• UAE