CDA inaugurates meet to empower people of determination

DUBAI: The Community Development Authority (CDA) inaugurated the international conference for inclusive employment and occupational learning at Le Méridien hotel on Sunday. The conference was held for two days and aims to reinforce the implemented governmental strategies and the private sector efforts.

The Qualifications House UK in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) organised the event that coincides with the Human Rights Day and the International Day for People of Determination.

The ICIEOL 2017 that is renowned for its distinctive provision in the field of vocational education and inclusive employment was attended by the diverse prominent researchers, academics and experts.

A well-designated panel participated in the first day of the prestigious event including the general director Ahmed Julfar, the chairman of the board of directors and the director general of the Knowledge and human development authority (KHDA) Dr Abdulla Karam,the CEO of the Qualifications House group in UK Prof. Hisham Al Saghbini ,and David Holliman, who is the general manager of the Seglow group.

Ahmed Julfar said that,” UAE and Dubai holds people of determination in high regard, and believes them to be an asset and a key component of the very fabric of UAE society.”

In addition to this, he stated,“We hope the inaugural conference will motivate the private sector, companies, institutions and entrepreneurs to invest in community development and support programmes to rehabilitate and train people of determination.”

He also pointed out that, “the Community Development Authority in Dubai is the main government body tasked with developing the social sector in all its categories, including People of Determination”. He also stressed that they coordinate and work with all parties to establish,develop and empower this high-potential segment of society including UAE and particularly in Dubai.

“Today’s conference brings together academics, researchers and experts to explore solutions for overcoming the obstacles inhibiting comprehensive integration of people of determination,” he said.

Furthermore, Abdullah Karam noted,“We, at the Authority, began quite early on to integrate people of determination into regular schools. Akram continued by reaffirming that,”From that point on, we carefully evaluated the outcomes and the situation and came to the conclusion that there needs to be a change in curricula, and that we need to establish a special environment. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority is keen to set policies and strategies that spread awareness in UAE society, which includes nearly 200 nationalities,”

ICIEOL 2017 aimed to highlight the employment needs of people of determination, as well the requirements and conditions for successfully integrating them in the labour market, through a series of lectures, discussions and workshops that are set to take place throughout the two-day conference, led by top-tier academics and experts in the field of vocational education.

The international conference was sponsored by CDA and It is deeply rooted and traced in the Dubai Strategy for People of Determination 2020, as well as the “My Community... A City for Everyone” initiative, that seek to make Dubai a friendlier city for people of determination.

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