ABU DHABI / WAM
The values of tolerance are a social responsibility for every individual in the country, affirmed His Highness. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council.
During the Council’s meeting, held at the Zayed University campus in Abu Dhabi, His Highness said that these values complement the humanitarian march first started by the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was keen to ensure that tolerance was applied as a lifestyle in the UAE.
Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, presented the results of a recent study conducted to measure the levels of tolerance within UAE society. Study findings showed UAE society’s “great acceptance of diverse religions and cultures, embracing individuals from various religious sects, cultural backgrounds and nationalities from all over the world.”
As part of the meeting proceedings, Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, presented initiatives and programmes undertaken by the ministry in the past year, particularly those related to accelerating Emiratisation and employment in targeted, strategic sectors in partnership with federal and local government bodies. The ministry programmes resulted in job placements for 20,000 male and female Emiratis.
Al Hamli also discussed the ministry’s ‘Emiratisation Plan for 2019’, noting the implementation of the national employment policy, to attract and qualify national capacities, particularly within the economic sector, as well as encourage entrepreneurship and private sector employment.
For her part, the Minister of State for Public Education Jameela Al Muheiri, conferred the inclusive education policy within the UAE’s public school system. The policy seeks to adopt a unified legislative framework for all public schools to organise for the integration of students with disabilities across the country.
She explained that the policy covers all criteria related to registration, screening, assessment, environment, and facilities provided for people of determination at schools, as well as programmes and examination systems that cater to various disability spectrums.
The meeting was also attended by Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development; Sara Awad Mussalam, Chairperson of Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge; Dr Abdullah Mohammed Al Krama, Director-General of Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority, and Mohamed Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Director of the Education Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court.