The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development recently hosted a thinking session with 28 government and semi-governmental entities to discuss the strategic development and modernization efforts in alignment with the National Identity Strategy 2020-2026. The workshop aimed at preserving the Emirati national identity, while also renewing it to ensure relevance for the present day.

Commenting on the importance of holding this workshop, HE Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said: “While we seek to establish the principles of national identity in the hearts of our younger generations, especially in the framework of tremendous social development in the UAE­, we must continue discussing our identity, which is of national importance to us, today and in the future.  It is, therefore, our responsibility as custodians – to join forces in discussing and defining the dimensions of our national identity’s strategy and ways to preserve and consolidate it as the basis of every action we will take. This culture and legacy will be passed on to the generations after us”.

Following HE Al Kaabi, Darrar Balhul Al-Falasi, Director General of the UAE National Foundation, underlined the importance of working together with the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development in developing the national identity strategy, which is the very foundation of the community work that nations promote. “Fostering a strong identity and a sense belonging among society greatly contributes to achieving our shared goals: strengthening the matters of national identity, developing strategies for our nation’s youth, and supporting an important foundation in the process of advancement.”

The Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development at the Ministry of Community Development, Her Excellency Hessa Abdul Rahman Thalak praised the vision of MCKD and the corresponding efforts in organizing the brainstorming session that restructured the national identity strategy 2020-2026. Through this session, the important details of this national project were shared with all the parties involved.

“Despite its rapid growth and connectedness with the world, the UAE is yet one of the most conventional societies in its national identity, and the nation has emphasized that identity must be conveyed as the future. Following this workshop, we look forward to fostering an integrated national identity strategy in our nation through which citizens and residents will get the opportunity to engage more,” she said.

Issa Al Mazrouei, Vice President of the Committee for The Management of Festivals and Cultural and Heritage Programs in Abu Dhabi, commended this important national gathering and the discussions around the National Identity Strategy 2020-2026. In addition, he emphasized the need to follow the principles of the founding father in the new strategy, and to focus on the principles of the nation, belief and faith of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan. He also mentioned that the national identity is a shared responsibility, and it imperative to preserve it for future generations.

Hana Lootah, Chief Executive Officer of the Deira Center for Studies and Polling said: “Together with a number of esteemed entities, we are honored to participate in these important and rich discussions on providing a preliminary knowledge base to lay the milestones of the UAE’s national identity strategy. Efforts must be reunified towards supporting the fundamental principles that make up the UAE’s entities and deepen the spirit of individual belonging to it so that the UAE remains a unique model for the modern world. This will help our nation grow towards globalized openness along with the maintenance of the distinctive national identity.”

The strategy will focus on three main pillars: Affirming the fundamental principles of the UAE, consolidating the principles of the founding father, and preserving the authenticity of the UAE “The Emirati identity.”

The workshop was divided into two sessions during which a series of questions were asked to moderate discussion around the elements that make up each of the three dimensions. The discussion of the first pillar focused on history, geography, Islam, and the Arabic language. The second pillar was mentioned along with a set of principles which the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, had the vision to foster. These elements include work towards education, humanity, respect, dialogue, community culture, tolerance, coexistence, sustainability, justice, and wisdom. The final part of the workshop discussed weakness and strength areas for opportunities, challenges, and risks that might affect the preservation and development of the national identity.