Sharjah consultative council launches first cultural café at SIBF

Expert discussion and perspectives

The session was moderated by media professional Waleed Aref, who welcomed participants. Council members Saeed Mater Al Teneiji, Chairman of the Family Affairs Committee, Dr Ahmed Saleh Al Naqbi, member of the Education Committee, and Dr Alaa Al Taee, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Sharjah, presented comprehensive insights on the partnership between family and education and their role in shaping future generations.

Saeed Mater Al Teneiji highlighted the family’s essential role in instilling values and shaping children’s awareness, noting that families in Sharjah receive strong support from the leadership, which views family cohesion as fundamental to societal stability. He stressed the council’s focus on supporting family policies and legislation that protect children from challenges in the digital age, and emphasised the importance of value-based education in addressing today’s technological and digital openness.

Dr Alaa Al Taee noted that the family is not only an emotional support for children but also an active partner in building values and behaviour. She emphasised continuous communication between families and educational institutions to instil responsibility and belonging, and highlighted the need for a complementary relationship between school and home to ensure a generation capable of self-awareness, critical thinking, and positive citizenship.

Dr Ahmed Saleh Al Naqbi addressed the partnership between education and schooling in shaping the future, drawing on his parliamentary experience in the Education Committee. He highlighted the school’s role in developing life skills and fostering positive values and behaviours in students, while stressing the importance of coordination between family and educational institutions to prepare a generation that meets the demands of the future and digital transformation, engaging with artificial intelligence without losing their identity or national and human values.

Dr Al Taee also discussed educational challenges in the context of technological developments, emphasising the need for schools to maintain their ethical and educational mission alongside academic work by adopting flexible curricula that balance skills training with values promotion. Saeed Mater Al Teneiji noted the importance of integrating legislation and community policies with educational efforts.

Council’s societal role

The session also highlighted the consultative council’s societal role in supporting families and education, with speakers reviewing the council’s initiatives in discussing relevant laws and policies and adopting proposals that reflect the leadership’s vision to enhance family stability and educational development. The council’s permanent committees study social and educational issues and provide recommendations to support human development in the emirate.

Audience engagement and conclusion

The session concluded with audience participation, confirming the importance of cooperation between family and school in protecting children and developing modern educational approaches. Participants expressed appreciation for the council’s initiative in organising the Cultural Café, recognising its commitment to social responsibility and its cultural role in promoting positive thinking.