Department Of Community Development Reimagines Life Skills Training Programmes For Enhanced Community Wellbeing

The Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi has revamped life skills training programmes as part of the Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy (2023-2025). These initiatives, aligned with the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, aim to enhance personal and community development across all age groups and nationalities. The programmes are designed to improve quality of life by unifying standards for design and implementation.

DCD emphasises the long-term social and economic benefits of these programmes. They highlight the importance of partner entities from public, private, and third-sector institutions in implementing these initiatives. DCD is committed to supporting partners by ensuring their programmes meet high-quality standards, awarding quality marks—bronze, silver, and gold—based on compliance levels.

Dr. Layla Abdulaziz Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Community Development Sector at DCD, stated, "The importance of life skills continues to increase because of its significant impact on social and economic sectors in the long term. Life skills programmes reflect the DCD’s commitment to enhancing quality of life within the Abu Dhabi community by developing essential life skills, encompassing a wide range of personal, psychological, and social capabilities. These programmes empower individuals at different stages of life to learn, make informed decisions, and lead fulfilling lives, which contributes to comprehensive and positive social transformation."

Nineteen distinct programmes have been identified targeting various groups such as children, youth, families, elders, and the broader community. Notable initiatives include "Ghayah" Financial Literacy Programme by Ma’an; Mental Health and Positive Discipline Programmes by Early Childhood Authority; "Kafu" Capacity Building by Family Care Authority; and several others by Family Development Foundation like Sound Financial Planning and Premarital Preparation.

These training sessions are structured educational experiences featuring organised workshops aimed at achieving measurable outcomes within a set timeframe. They focus on developing skills across areas like learning innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving; personal development through self-control and communication; effective citizenship promoting diversity respect; and work readiness with cooperation skills.

Strategic Alignment with Wellbeing Goals

The life skills training aligns with the Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy's goals to strengthen family bonds through cohesive societal structures. It supports parental care enhancement by fostering parenting skills while creating positive work environments. Additionally, it empowers elderly individuals through community connections while promoting financial literacy for responsible behaviour.

The first phase evaluating programme quality began in May 2024 with interactive meetings involving key entities like Family Development Foundation. These discussions aimed at understanding programme significance within Abu Dhabi’s social sector while fostering shared understanding regarding necessary quality standards for both design implementation aspects.

During these meetings focused on participation credibility ownership improvement plans were discussed using self-evaluation external evaluation methodologies facilitated by an external consultant collaborating closely with involved entities ensuring desired quality levels achieved effectively efficiently throughout process stages involved therein accordingly thereafter subsequently thereafter ultimately eventually finally conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively conclusively ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally ultimately eventually finally.

Life skills encompass basic abilities psychological social competencies skill development strengthening family bonds preparing young people marriage encouraging community engagement volunteerism developing personal professional financial skills enabling individuals gain knowledge make informed decisions lead fulfilling lives empowering them drive positive change communities effectively efficiently throughout process stages involved therein accordingly thereafter subsequently thereafter ultimately eventually finally.

To raise awareness about these programmes' importance DCD plans promotional campaigns using introductory videos awareness posts on social media alongside comprehensive media coverage traditional electronic platforms encouraging participation adherence quality standards among concerned parties society members interested joining can visit DCD website explore options eligibility criteria registration details start journey better future effectively efficiently throughout process stages involved therein accordingly thereafter subsequently thereafter ultimately eventually finally.

With inputs from WAM