Sharjah – February 5, 2018:   Under the patronage and in the presence of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, the Department of Family Development Centres (FDC), one of the institutions of the Supreme Council of Family Affairs, announced the 16th edition of the Annual Family Forum. 

Conceptualized under the theme “By Morality, Nations are Built”, the Annual Family Forum will be held on February 13, 14 and 15 at the FDC headquarters in Sharjah city and its branches in Dhaid and Korfakha, respectively.  

The Annual Family Forum will focus on strengthening the department’s reputation and its positive role in serving the community. In line with the religious, social ideals and the UAE Vision 2021, the Family Forum will explore the significance of family values and the dignity of practicing it.   

The 16th Annual Family Forum aims to protect the Emirati family ethics and cultural values from the moral disruptions of the modern times. The three-day event will implement a range of practical programs to provide moral education to families and enable them to achieve success and nurture qualified citizens. 

This year, the Family Forum will run focusing on three core values. H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, will share his insights on the first value, which is “Social and Cultural Dimension of Value and Morality System”. He will shed light on the moral values and social unity to be seen in the cultural, social and religious traditions of the Emirati family. His Highness will also highlight the family values applicable in the modern times, with programs and methods of family education in developing morals. 

His Highness will state that the true prosperity and peace can be achieved through Arabic, Islamic and ethical education that will amplify familial and social values to transform people as better human beings. The Emirate of Sharjah is a family for all. Everyone gets dignity and security in Sharjah, which defines its identity through culture and education. 

Dr. Tahani Sabah from Kuwait will talk on the second core value -- “The Roles of Socialization Institutes in Developing Morality”, which will primarily cover the changes of family concept and its impact, reality vision of family problems, prevention and treatment. She will also discuss on educational organizations, modern curriculum, their impact on the moral education, and the role of a teacher in the family environment of students to ensure security and intellectual awareness, and extracurricular approaches. Religious institutes will be another key area of discussion by Dr. Tahani, who will share her views on the role of the religious institutes in moral upbringing. She will also discuss about the media organizations’ role in moral upbringing, as well as the impact of kids’ programs, electronic games, audio-visual and social media platforms in moral upbringing. 

Aisha Obeid Al Muheiri will debate on the third core value – “Emirati Family according to the UAE Vision 2021”, which will cover the leadership role in developing the Emirati family, significance of the UAE Vision, outcomes of the national service, the rules and regulations system related to morality such as personal status law, public law, family court, social support centres and the role of the Ministry of Interior in dealing with social problems.

Mody Al Shamsi, General Manager of Sharjah Family Development Centers (FDC), said, “We are glad to announce the launch of the Family Forum 2018 under the patronage of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and his wife H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi. We are honored to express our gratitude to their Highnesses for the patronage, vision and message on nurturing these great values and principles for family welfare and greater social connectivity.” 
 
“His Highness launched so many initiatives and projects in the emirate of Sharjah for the upliftment of the society, and wellbeing of individuals and families. We at SDC follow his vision, and our management is working under the leadership of Her Highness Shaikha Jawaher, who always encourages to look after families and support them. Based on these initiatives, the SDC developed its strategies and vision to build a connected and stable family. The SDC also continued holding its annual family forums, which kicked off in 2001, which are considered one of the best programs to spread awareness in the society about a case that needs a lot of cooperation and collective efforts to find solutions and recommendations to raise families in particular and society in general. Today, it is very important to shed light on building values, which protects the society and keeps the nation’s achievements,” she added.  

The Annual Family Forum will also showcase a study titled “Moral Values: Reality and Challenges”, which will be introduced by Mody Al Shamsi, General Manager and Moza Al Shehhi, Director of Sharjah Family Development Centers (FDC) branches. This study will reveal the most vital research and statistics concerning family issues.  

As part of the Annual Family Forum, a media workshop will be conducted under the supervision of Mohammed Jalal Al Raisi, Executive Director of Emirates New Agency (WAM), and Laila Albloushi, Head of Media and Corporate Communications at the Family Development Centres.

Dr. Tahani will hold a workshop for specialist educators focusing on the role of teachers in the development of intellectual and safety awareness of the students outside their curriculum. She will also teach the role of family in the moral and intellectual development of the students. 

The Family Development Centres in Sharjah offers a number of programs tackling family issues and others examine the social, psychological, educational and technological challenges faced by Emirati families and the society as a whole. 

“We express our gratitude to all other Government departments, partners and individuals for their valuable support to make this Family Forum a successful initiative. We also are grateful to different media organizations for their continuous contribution in raising awareness among the families for the Family Forum. I also thank Sharjah Seaports & Customs Department, which is the main sponsor of the initiative,” Mody Al Shamsi concluded.