Sheikh Majid Al Qassimi opens 17th DFDC’s Family Forum

A large number of local and regional social institutions in addition to elite local and foreign experts and specialists in areas of social, psychological and family care are taking part in the event.

In her recorded opening speech, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi said: The Family Forum has become, over many years, an ideal platform that embodies the great attention His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, he Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, attaches to  the family and its members who are the core of Sharjah’s community fabric in the Emirate of Sharjah. Preserving the family is an indisputable priority as the welfare of society is part of the family's goodness, and we must create a safe and healthy space and harness all our resources to support the family in facing life's difficulties.”

She added: The digital world has opened different spaces for humanity to communicate with each other, and with this communication and openness to other cultures, customs and traditions, it has become easy to change some ideas and customs affected by this openness, especially with the change of life style and the connection of the individual with smart devices,…The involvement  in the digital space and what is published on social media platforms has not only become an opponent of the mother and father in raising and influencing their children, but has also become influential in the lives of the mother and father as well, and when the target is the basic building block of society, it becomes necessary for us to take a serious stand to take the burden of raising awareness and launching projects that contribute to the consolidation of family and community bonds in light of the challenges and impacts of the digital age, not to keep them away from it, but to adapt them to it in accordance with the sound principles, behaviours and norms that contribute to laying a solid and sound foundation for the family.

Sheikha Jawaher pointed out that the values and principles established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, upon founding the United Arab Emirates, were the compass that still guides the entire society to become stronger and more cohesive, adhering to its original roots, going on with the path of development, and simultaneously, armed with awareness and knowledge, and we are confident that we have raised a generation ready to confront cultural and intellectual openness, capable of taking responsibility in its communication with the world to be the best ambassador for the country, people and culture, expressing its pride in what DFDC offers to the community, and their continuity in implementing such programmes and initiatives.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN, and several senior officials, and representatives of local and regional social and media institutions attended the opening of the event.

The four-day forum focuses on the challenges of digital life and its effects on members of society, and the role of the family in dealing with its children in light of these challenges that affect various psychological, social and cultural aspects, in addition to reviewing ways of supporting the family for its children and immunising them against the risks that they may be exposed to.