Meeting objectives and themes
The meeting focused on improving institutional performance and exploring ways to enhance partnership experiences by providing an interactive platform for exchanging ideas, reviewing achievements and challenges, and looking towards future cooperation. Four main themes were discussed: identifying strengths that promote effective collaboration; addressing challenges and current practices to improve cooperation quality; exploring future opportunities to expand partnerships aligned with community needs; and assessing external threats affecting partnership sustainability.
Introduction to Sharjah Social Services
The first day began with an extensive overview of the department’s services, intervention areas, and strategic vision to improve life quality, especially for vulnerable groups. The presentation highlighted its key roles in care, protection, social security, and community services.
Partnership management policy guide
Dr Sherif Abu Shady, the department’s advisor, presented the detailed "Partnership Management Policy Guide" that frames the department’s relationships with partners. The policy emphasises equal partnerships and activating each party’s role to achieve shared goals, aiming to build effective and sustainable partnerships that enhance social service efficiency and community impact.
Services overview and legislative role
The presentation detailed the department’s services, including care in residential institutions, social security programmes, social and economic empowerment initiatives, and community projects targeting diverse groups. It also covered the department’s regulatory and legislative responsibilities in social work.
Partnership systems and mechanisms
Alia Al-Souqi, Head of Public Relations, explained the department’s systems for building qualitative, sustainable partnerships with public and private entities, founded on mutual understanding and institutional integration to improve social service quality and meet community needs. She stressed that partnership success lies not only in agreements but in practical activation through joint initiatives creating tangible impact.
Training and best practices
Al-Souqi delivered interactive training sessions highlighting best practices in effective partnership building, sharing live examples of joint initiatives that enabled participants to learn, exchange ideas, and discuss ways to enhance cooperation and address challenges.
Commitment to integrated work
In her speech, Khawla Abdullah Al Ali, Director of the Government Communication Office, affirmed the department’s commitment to participatory work with partners, describing the meeting as a valuable opportunity to discuss current realities and future prospects that serve the community and sustainable social development. She emphasised fostering a culture of transparent, integrated institutional cooperation, with the meeting serving as a strategic platform for performance evaluation, experience sharing, and inspiring joint initiatives to advance community service.
Attendance and expectations
The meeting hosted around 70 participants from 31 different entities. The Sharjah Social Services Department hopes the meeting will help shape more integrated future directions that strengthen partnerships as a key element in service development and achieving the desired community impact.
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