SSEF, Arab Council for Childhood sign cooperation protocol

On this occasion, Mona bin Hadda Al-Suwaidi, Director General of the Foundation, stated: "The signing of this protocol represents an important step towards consolidating joint work with a leading institution, as we share the same humanitarian and developmental goal, in support of our mission that empowering orphans is a shared responsibility that transcends borders. “Arab cooperation in this field reinforces the values of solidarity and humanity upon which our state was founded, and we affirm that investing in childhood is an investment in the future of the entire nation. We believe that this agreement is not the end of signing. Rather, it is the beginning of a long journey of collaborative work to achieve a lasting impact on the lives of our children who have lost parental care, building a more empowering future for them and creating a more inclusive and sustainable environment to enable them.

Al-Suwaidi added: "This cooperation with the Arab Council for Childhood and Development forms a platform for exchanging successful experiences and unifying efforts in the areas of empowerment provided in various aspects of life, as the protocol includes the implementation of specialized training programs that enhance the quality of services provided to children. In addition to developing scientific and professional tools that contribute to building their capabilities and enhancing their life skills, in line with the social and developmental transformations in the Arab world."

She concluded by saying: "At the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation, we believe that purposeful regional partnerships are the best way to expand humanitarian impact and develop a supportive environment for orphans, based on empowerment, not just care, and contributing to building a conscious generation capable of positive participation in their society. This collaboration represents a new step towards realizing our vision of achieving a more comprehensive and sustainable system for empowering children without parental care, and solidifying Sharjah's position as a leading center in the field of social and humanitarian work."

For his part, Dr Hassan Al-Bilawi, Secretary-General of the Arab Council for Childhood and Development, stated: "This protocol comes in order to foster cooperation, coordination and partnership between the Council and the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation in order to achieve common goals, especially in the field of empowering children by using the Council's 'Educating Hope' model, which is based on the integrated rights approach. The participatory and capacity-building approach, and the self-building approach, aim to cultivate hope by enhancing the child's awareness, awakening their creative self, unleashing their human potential, building their capabilities, and acquiring 21st-century skills. This will enable him to enter the knowledge society and the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond, under the slogan "A new mind for a new human being in a new society."

The agreement stipulates cooperation in areas of common cooperation related to supporting and empowering children, through holding training programs and workshops, organizing meetings and conferences for advocacy and gaining support, and exchanging knowledge, experiences and work methodologies. This contributes to the quality of life, efficiency, and inspiration of these children and their families, empowering them and providing them with a good life through innovative methods and means that bring them happiness and positivity.

An action plan is planned to activate the protocol starting in 2026, based on developing training programs that empower children using the educational model that has been implemented in socialization institutions in several Arab countries (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Oman, Egypt, etc).

Both organizations affirmed their shared commitment to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant Arab conventions, and to the necessity of working according to policies that protect and nurture Arab children in a safe and inclusive environment that guarantees their dignity and their right to growth and empowerment.

This cooperation comes within the framework of the Foundation’s endeavor to expand its regional and international partnerships, and to exchange experiences and knowledge with leading Arab institutions in the field of childhood and development, in order to contribute to achieving a sustainable developmental impact in the lives of children who lack parental care, and they were served at all levels.