Emirate Foundation launches new initiative

Youth Development and Wellbeing Index Survey

ABU DHABI, UAE, March 27: His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Chairman of Emirates Foundation, launched today the nationwide ‘Youth Development and Wellbeing Index Survey’ through an introductory video highlighting the importance of having such an index in helping the country design smarter policies and investments to improve opportunities for young people. Being the first comprehensive attempt to capture the state of UAE Youth Development and Wellbeing, minister called upon families and youth across all seven Emirates to contribute to making this initiative a success by participating in this nationwide survey.

Emirates Foundation is championing the Youth Development and Wellbeing Index Survey, in partnership with, the Emirates Youth Council, Dubai Economy and the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority. The Index is designed to provide a baseline of national data on the state of youth wellbeing and factors impacting and affecting youth development. Aligned with the National Strategy for Youth Development, it will also help to bring youth issues to the forefront of leaders’ and stakeholders’ agendas and will guide the development of policies and strategies that advance youth wellbeing in the country.

The Youth Index is in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, that “the next generation is a vital driving force for progress” and in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai that “our formula for change is development that is based on a system of values upheld by the youth to foresee the future and seek to achieve happiness for all.”

The Index initiative was launched today at a press conference at St. Regis Hotel, Abu Dhabi Corniche, in the presence of H.E. Shamma bint Sohail Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Chairwoman of the Emirates Youth Council and Board Member of the Emirates Foundation, Abdullah Naser Lootah, Director General of Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA), Maytha Al Habsi, Deputy CEO of Emirates Foundation and Khuloud Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation.

Measure

Based on a composite index of 14 social, economic and political indicators benchmarked globally, the UAE Youth Development and Wellbeing Index, the first of its kind on a regional GCC and Middle East level, will measure youth needs across key areas including: education, health, safety and security, values and traditions, living and media consumption habits, income & debt, employment, leisure, decision making, civic responsibility and community engagement.

The Index field work is expected to be launched on April 2, covering a sample of 6,600 participants from across all Emirates, and will be implemented by a team of representatives from statistics centres across various Emirates including Abu Dhabi Statistic Centre, Dubai Statistics Centre, Fujairah Statistics Centre and Ras Al Khaimah Statistics Centre; with the support of volunteers from Emirates Foundation’s Takatof Volunteering Program, who have received special field work training by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority.

Commenting on the Index, Shamma Al Mazrui, said “Launched by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Youth Development and Wellbeing Index was designed to provide a sound platform to guide us on the right path towards youth development in line with the national youth strategy launched by Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum. In this respect, we need the support of every youth and family in the UAE and I will be the first to take the survey as I recognize its importance towards realizing our nation’s progress and sustainable development.”

HE further elaborated that “The Emirates Youth Council will be promoting the survey and the

field research amongst youth through the different youth councils across the country.”

Speaking about the joint initiative, Abdullah Naser said: “We are very excited to be part of this national and strategic project. It comes in line with FCSA strategy to build strong bridges with the youth in the country, listen to their voices and utilize their ideas and innovation in serving the society and the nation.

The youth today represent the future of our beloved nation. All government entities are working hard for achieving the national agenda and the sustainable developmental goals, driven by our country’s wise leadership endeavors to secure a happy and prosperous future for our youth.

Speaking at the launch, Maytha Al Habsi said: “The UAE Youth Index reflects the Foundation’s commitment to youth development across the country. We are proud that the Index survey and field work will be implemented by a well-trained team of Emirates Foundation’s Takatof Volunteers, which aligns with Takatof’s vision and goals to make volunteering an important part of the daily lives of youth.”

Khuloud Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Offer at Emirates Foundation explained the rationale behind the index as far as Emirates Foundation is concerned: “We at Emirates Foundation saw a window of opportunity to lead such an initiative. It will serve as a roadmap to better identify youth needs and challenges and guide the Foundation to build targeted programs to address them. This will enable us to realize the collective wellbeing and development of our youth, the future of our country.”