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DUBAI/WAM
The Dubai Future Foundation has announced the participation of 40 government employees from 25 entities in the “Lead and Design Programme,” part of the ‘Design Gov’ initiative.
The programme seeks to empower Emirati talent with advanced, specialised skills that drive innovation in the design of government services and operations.
The programme provides participants with the essential tools to foresee and shape the future of government operations, ensuring that these services are crafted to enhance quality of life and solidify Dubai and the UAE’s position as leaders in human-centered government design.
The 14-week programme focuses on instilling a culture of creative design and proactive planning within government entities, and empowering national talent with leadership skills and tools through human-centered design. This will upskill the government employees to design high-impact services, initiatives, and future-oriented projects that enhance Dubai and the UAE’s readiness for the future in vital sectors, such as media, housing, tourism, welfare, technology, economy, health, education, culture, transportation and more.
The ‘Lead and Design’ Programme features a series of training workshops that combine theoretical insights with practical, hands-on experiences, both within the UAE and internationally.
The programme also leverages hybrid training methods, allowing participants to explore promising future design, innovation, and foresight technologies. These experiences aim to transform opportunities into impactful, human-centered government services, policies, and strategies that serve the UAE community.
The programme began with an introductory day, followed by a week-long leadership immersion in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This hands-on approach emphasises developing leadership skills through practical experiences, prioritising human welfare and ensuring a positive impact on society.
The first phase of practical application will follow with five weeks of virtual group training providing an opportunity to strengthen new skills and turn ideas into reality. This is followed by a week of in-person workshops and lectures in Dubai focusing on human-centred design, where participants will practice and apply what they have learned to forward their missions.
The second phase of practical application will involve real-world design challenges. The programme will culminate in December 2024 in Dubai with a three-day event where participants will present their projects, each aimed at driving tangible, positive future transformations.
The programme was developed in collaboration with various UAE government entities, as well as leading knowledge centres, research institutions, and academic organisations worldwide. The goal is to adopt cutting-edge global practices and successful strategies to advance government operations.
Notably, the UAE government launched the ‘Design Gov’ Initiative in 2019 to promote a design-centric culture in developing and implementing human-centred initiatives, policies, and programmes. This initiative also seeks to harness the power of design in both social and economic contexts, with the ultimate aim of achieving the objectives of the “UAE Centennial 2071”.