In a significant stride towards fostering supportive environments for the aging populace, the Emirate of Sharjah recently convened a comprehensive workshop dedicated to the development of age-friendly cities. This initiative is particularly significant in its aim to assist Kuwait as it seeks to join UNESCO’s Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities. Notably, Sharjah was the first Arab city to achieve this prestigious affiliation in 2017, establishing itself as a pioneering model for other cities in the region.
Enhancing Arab Cooperation
This workshop, organized under the auspices of the Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD), underscores the Department’s commitment to promoting the ideals of age-friendly urban planning and sharing its expertise with regional and global entities. The initiative seeks to bolster Arab cooperation and provide essential technical and informational support, empowering neighboring nations to adhere to international standards in the care and support of older adults.
Asmaa Al-Khudari, the Director of the Office of Age-Friendly Quality and Health Services within the SSSD, illuminated the Kuwait Ministry of Health’s earnest interest in joining this international network. This interest is rooted in Kuwait’s substantial initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of its elderly population through a diverse array of projects and community programs. The Kuwaiti Ministry is presently working towards harmonizing these efforts within a structured framework that aligns with the recognized requirements of the international network.
Sharing Sharjah’s Pioneering Experience
The recent workshop marked the second instance of cooperation, convened at the official request of the Kuwaiti Ministry, emphasizing Sharjah’s readiness to extend its wealth of knowledge in creating age-friendly urban spaces. Al-Khudari noted that Sharjah has consistently been at the forefront of initiatives catering to the elderly, and the SSSD remains eager to offer technical and advisory support to any entity striving to enhance the living conditions for older adults.
Such collaborations highlight an emerging trend in the Arab world, where attention to elder care is increasingly seen as a critical component of social development and urban planning. By sharing its innovative practices, Sharjah aims not only to elevate its own standards but also to cultivate a constructive dialogue among Arab nations on best practices for elderly care.
Enhancing Knowledge and Exchanging Experiences
Workshops like this are fundamental to the SSSD’s broader strategy of knowledge sharing and experiential exchange. Al-Khudari articulated a visionary goal: to establish Sharjah as a central knowledge hub and an inspirational model for cities across the Arabian Peninsula striving for improved elderly services. She expressed optimism about Kuwait swiftly becoming a member of the global network, alongside other Arab states committed to this humanitarian initiative.
The workshop saw the participation of numerous officials from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, including Dr. Fatima Bin Dhafari, Director of the Department of Health Services for the Elderly, and Dr. Amal Al Yahya, Director of the Healthy Cities Office. In addition, coordinators from various government and private institutions dedicated to elderly care were in attendance, alongside a distinguished cohort of older Kuwaiti citizens. This inclusion not only signifies the Ministry’s commitment to addressing the opinions and experiences of the elderly but also exemplifies an evolving approach to policy formulation that prioritizes community involvement and feedback.
Cultivating a Better Future for the Elderly
The exchange at the workshop showcased actionable strategies and highlighted the shared vision among distinguished Emirati and Kuwaiti specialists aimed at creating environments that honor and support the elderly. By adhering to internationally recognized principles and fostering collaboration among regional partners, both Sharjah and Kuwait are setting a precedent that could inspire other cities in the region to prioritize the needs of their aging populations.
As the demographic landscape shifts and the proportion of elderly individuals increases across the region, these efforts will undoubtedly be paramount. A commitment to developing age-friendly cities today paves the way for a more inclusive and vibrant society in the future, ensuring that the elder community is not merely accommodated but celebrated.
Conclusion
The workshop symbolizes a broader movement towards a paradigm where age-friendly policies become integral to urban planning and public health initiatives in the Arab world. In this context, collaborative models like that of Sharjah and Kuwait could facilitate significant advancements in elderly care standards, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for a pivotal segment of the population.
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