Sharjah hosts awareness session on Green Heart Award for seniors

Sharjah 24: As part of its commitment to enhancing the wellbeing and social inclusion of older adults, the Age-Friendly Sharjah Programme—under the Office of Age-Friendly Quality and Health Services at the Sharjah Social Services Department—organised an introductory session on the “Green Heart Award” for senior citizens.

The session, held at the Indaba Hall in Sharjah Safari, welcomed 59 elderly participants from the Eastern and Central regions, Al Hamriyah, and Sharjah city. The initiative aims to encourage participation in the award’s fourth cycle, which honours individuals aged 60 and above for their lifelong contributions and life experiences, offering valuable lessons to younger generations.

Strong engagement from senior citizens

The Office of Age-Friendly Quality and Health Services noted the growing interest among senior citizens in the emirate. Accordingly, similar sessions will be held across various locations in the coming period to reach a wider audience. The session focused on clarifying the award’s purpose and categories and addressed participant inquiries regarding eligibility and registration.

The event featured a comprehensive presentation on the award’s objectives, participation criteria, and the crucial roles seniors play in advancing community, health, volunteer, cultural, and family initiatives. It also highlighted the importance of intergenerational communication to pass on their knowledge and experiences.

Effective past experiences and participation

The session opened with the national anthem, followed by welcoming remarks and a video featuring previous award winners, who shared the impact the award had on their lives and offered support to new applicants.

Another video presentation introduced the award, its fields, categories, and standards, and explained how to register via the Age-Friendly Sharjah Programme’s website.

Applications opened on 7 April and will continue until 25 June. Interested seniors can apply through the official website: https://agefriendly.shj.ae.

Award goals and categories

The award seeks to acknowledge the contributions of older adults across various fields while encouraging them to adopt healthier, more active lifestyles that enhance their quality of life. It also aims to promote the concept of the “Green Heart” and the principles of active ageing, in addition to supporting Sharjah’s membership in the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities.

There are two main award categories: “Active Senior” and “Distinguished Senior,” each covering four core areas—cultural, social, health, and professional.

Winners are honoured during an annual ceremony aligned with the International Day of Older Persons and the Senior Services Forum hosted by the Sharjah Social Services Department.