Over 1,500 children take part in Cultural Summer Camp
Following a successful three weeks of engaging activities, the Cultural Summer Camp organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development concluded yesterday. Held across cultural centres in Al Dhafra Region, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Dibba Al Fujairah, and Masafi, the camp’s extensive programme included over 70 engaging and exciting workshops and welcomed a record 1,500 participants.
The creative workshops at the Cultural Summer Camp combined elements of science, culture, fun and entertainment, which helped discover creative talents
The Cultural Summer Camp’s programme hosted a variety of interactive workshops covering arts, culture, innovation and self-development, for children aged 5 - 19 and was established with the aim of discovering and developing young talent in the UAE.
Commenting on the conclusion of the programme, Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development said: “The success of the Cultural Summer Camp has been inspiring as we thrive to build our nation’s ambitious youth. Empowering our young ones by nurturing their ambitions and talents is part of our strategy towards the development of our nation. The success of this year’s camp edition is a testament to the drive our youth have for their own growth and interests.
“The creative workshops at the Cultural Summer Camp combined elements of science, culture, fun and entertainment, all of which have contributed to achieving the desired goals of the workshop to discover creative talents and provide future generations with the knowledge and skills to choose their future creative directions”, said Noura Al Kaabi.
The camp’s workshops covered a range of topics, such as expressive visual arts, design, architecture, entrepreneurship, science and technology, media, meditation and life skills.
The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development established the Cultural Summer Camp in line with the framework of its strategy for community development. This programme is a significant element in the Ministry’s strategy to preserve and protect cultural heritage for future generations and build national pride and increase engagement with the Emirate’s cultural scene.
The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development is a leading governmental authority focused on seting the UAE’S cultural agenda and nurturing creative talent. The Ministry’s objective is to preserve the UAE’S national identity and promote its position on the global cultural map through innovative and creative development of the UAE’S cultural sector. This objective falls in line with the strategic objective and goals of the UAE Vision 2021, which charts the next stage in the country’s journey with a focus on preserving its rich heritage, sharing knowledge, and innovating.
Given their role in supporting economic development, the Ministry is dedicated to championing, cultivating and supporting the UAE’S creative industries. These encompass disciplines as diverse as cultural intangible heritage, cultural tangible heritage, literature, visual arts, performing arts, design, audiovisual media and digital innovation.
The Ministry works with several entities including the federal and local governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, and media institutions to protect the country’s cultural heritage and cultural issues.
Earlier, the Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) organised a sign language basic course for children between 4-12 years old, in which more than 60 boys and girls from all over the emirates participated in a gesture aimed at teaching children the basics of sign language and communication techniques with the hearing disabilities categories.
The course was characterised by the interaction of young children who showed a remarkable enthusiasm to learn their names and some daily sentences in sign language, as part of the education and awareness courses for all the community members especially parents, children and school students during summer time to participate in such interactivities.
Held at the ministry’s premises in Dubai, the training course included entertainment and awareness activities that stimulate the positive spirit of younger generations in the presence of their parents to achieve community integration and consolidate the empowerment of the people of determination as part of the national policy for empowerment the people of determination, and at the same time enhance awareness programmes and sustainable development in supporting integration and empowerment efforts.
The “Sign Language Basics” Course for children, was presented by Abeer Al Shehhi, Sign Language Expert in the Ministry and Ayman Al Maqbali, a people of determination member from the “hearing disability category”, who gave an introduction to children and their parents about sign symbols that can be successfully used when communicating with the hearing disability categories. The course also included a series of drawing and colouring activities and the distribution of the magazine “Be My Friend” to all the participating children.
Recently, the Ministry of Community Development, MOCD, organised an awareness training programme in Umm Al Qaiwain Autism Centre as part of its activities in the Autism Awareness Month (April 2019).