Latest news with #MohamedHelalAlBalooshi
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- General
- Al Etihad
Nabdh Al Falah Community Hub: Leading model for nurturing of family and social cohesion
7 Aug 2025 14:11 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Nabdh Al Falah Community Hub, an initiative by the Department of Community Development (DCD), has become a cornerstone of community engagement, offering a diverse range of programmes that foster social connection and inclusivity. Since its opening in February 2025, the hub has welcomed more than 11,500 visitors, quickly establishing itself as a space for intergenerational dialogue, family cohesion, and inclusive community with UAE Year of Community aspirations, Nabdh Al Falah Community Hub serves as a vibrant platform that fosters community engagement, offering individuals of all ages opportunities to develop skills, engage in enriching activities, and contribute to a stronger, more cohesive just its first few months, Nabdh Al Falah Community Hub has hosted 109 programmes and 217 sessions in collaboration with 38 partners from the government, private, and third sectors – reflecting the community's strong response to its success of Nabdh Al Falah Community Hub demonstrates how such platforms can strengthen social bonds by providing interactive spaces that celebrate cultural values, national identity, and shared high turnout highlights the public's positive response, with visitors embracing the hub as a vibrant venue for learning, collaboration, and fostering a sense of belonging. Through individual sessions and inclusive programmes, it brings families closer, strengthens community ties, and gives everyone the opportunity to participate in a truly inclusive space, regardless of hub's programmes have been shaped by partnerships with key Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi organised various heritage and cultural events, while the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an focused on promoting social responsibility and volunteering. The Emirates Foundation delivered youth development programmes, and the Family Development Foundation hosted sessions to strengthen family bonds, particularly for contributions came from the Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority, which conducted daily empowerment sessions for targeted groups, and the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, which ran traditional Yola art workshops for Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) led child-focused activities under Majlisna, while Al Mubarakah Foundation facilitated youth workshops through the Almghaweer Sanad Alwatan Women Society also played a key role, empowering women through promoting social Director of the Community Engagement and Sports Sector at DCD, His Excellency Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, highlighted the tangible social impact that th Nabdh model has achieved in a short period, noting its role in strengthening family ties and fostering cooperation and Excellency Al Balooshi said: 'Since the launch of the first Nabdh hub, we've seen tremendous public engagement – confirming the community's need for spaces that bridge generations and encourage active participation.'His Excellency also announced plans to expand the Nabdh model across the emirate, reinforcing these centres as engines of social development and sustainable platforms for enhancing quality of life. This expansion follows an agreement between the DCD and the Department of Municipalities and Transport, aimed at enriching Abu Dhabi's social infrastructure with interactive spaces tailored to diverse community needs. These hubs represent a valuable addition to the social sector, providing a supportive environment for community participation and delivering initiatives that enhance quality of life while creating new opportunities for positive engagement.
Al Etihad
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Department of Community Development launches Child Protection Policy in the Sports Entities
12 June 2025 13:13 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi has introduced the Child Protection Policy in the Sports Entities with the aim of creating a safe and inclusive environment where children can thrive and enjoy sports free from in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), the Family Care Authority (FCA), and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), the policy aligns with Federal Law No (3) of 2016, known as Wadeema, and its executive regulations. The policy applies to all sports entities in Abu Dhabi, as well as to all workers and volunteers involved in sports activities outside educational institutions. To support the policy's implementation, the department will roll out a comprehensive awareness on the new policy, Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Sports Sector at DCD, said: 'The Child Protection Policy in the Sports Entities reflects the department's commitment to promoting the welfare of children and ensuring their safety in all areas." He added, "It is an important step that promotes the healthy growth and development of children, in line with the vision of our leadership, which is keen to protect children and ensure their rights and safety. The policy focuses on enhancing awareness and community participation in protecting children by empowering sports entities, parents and workers in the sports sector to effectively assume their Balooshi explained that 'The policy includes a comprehensive set of principles and mechanisms that ensure the application of the highest standards of protection, including the appointment of child protection coordinators in sports entities, and the provision of mandatory training programmes for workers and volunteers to ensure their readiness to deal with any potential dangers, in addition to imposing strict procedures for reporting and following up on violations, which enhances the culture of transparency and accountability.'Four Main Safety PrinciplesThe policy is based on four main principles that ensure parents and their children feel safe by promoting the right to participate, zero tolerance for child abuse, as well as responsibility, accountability, protection, and policy aims to establish mechanisms, standards, and procedures to safeguard children in all sports entities and facilities. It also seeks to protect children participating in sports activities from any behaviour, conduct, or actions that violate their rights, harm their interests, or cause them physical or emotional harm. Additionally, the policy provides support for children in sports activities who may be at risk of abuse, neglect, or policy mandates that all employees in sports entities and facilities who interact directly with children must report any suspected or alleged cases of child abuse, neglect, or violence within the sports sector. It also outlines the roles and responsibilities of sports entities, professional athletes, volunteers, parents, and caregivers in addressing such cases. This approach aims to promote the well-being and safety of children in sports, foster positive behaviour, build healthy social relationships, uphold standards of sportsmanship, and create a safe and constructive environment for sports policy includes the development of legal frameworks to prevent anyone who poses a threat to children from participating in sports activities, in addition to preventing them from joining any sports entity, work or other environment that allows them to deal with children. It also focuses on coordination with the competent authorities and concerned parties to ensure the protection of the rights of all children participating in sports Child Protection Policy in the Sports Entities prohibits all forms of child abuse, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying in any form, and any type of discrimination based on race, age, gender, nationality, religion, or developmental delays. The policy was developed through the collaborative efforts of DCD, ADSC, FCA and ECA, along with various relevant partners in the health, society, sports and education sectors, including the UAE Pro League, Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), the Ministry of Education, in addition to the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and the Emirates Schools Establishment.
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Department of Community Development launches Child Protection in Sport Policy
Abu Dhabi: The Department of Community Developmenthas introduced the Child Protection Policy in the Sports Entities with the aim of creating a safe and inclusive environment where children can thrive and enjoy sports free from harm. Developed in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), and the Family Care Authority (FCA), the policy aligns with Federal Law No (3) of 2016, known as Wadeema, and its executive regulations. The policy applies to all sports entities in Abu Dhabi, as well as to all workers and volunteers involved in sports activities outside educational institutions. To support the policy's implementation, the department will roll out a comprehensive awareness campaign. His Excellency Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Sports Sector at DCD, said: 'The Child Protection Policy in the Sports Entities reflects the department's commitment to promoting the welfare of children and ensuring their safety in all areas. It is an important step that promotes the healthy growth and development of children, in line with the vision of our leadership, which is keen to protect children and ensure their rights and safety. The policy focuses on enhancing awareness and community participation in protecting children by empowering sports entities, parents and workers in the sports sector to effectively assume their responsibilities. 'The policy includes a comprehensive set of principles and mechanisms that ensure the application of the highest standards of protection, including the appointment of child protection coordinators in sports entities, and the provision of mandatory training programmes for workers and volunteers to ensure their readiness to deal with any potential dangers, in addition to imposing strict procedures for reporting and following up on violations, which enhances the culture of transparency and accountability.' The policy is based on four main principles that ensure parents, and their children feel safe by promoting the right to participate, zero tolerance for child abuse, as well as responsibility, accountability, protection, and non-retaliation. The policy aims to establish mechanisms, standards, and procedures to safeguard children in all sports entities and facilities. It also seeks to protect children participating in sports activities from any behaviour, conduct, or actions that violate their rights, harm their interests, or cause them physical or emotional harm. Additionally, the policy provides support for children in sports activities who may be at risk of abuse, neglect, or violence. The policy mandates that all employees in sports entities and facilities who interact directly with children must report any suspected or alleged cases of child abuse, neglect, or violence within the sports sector. It also outlines the roles and responsibilities of sports entities, professional athletes, volunteers, parents, and caregivers in addressing such cases. This approach aims to promote the wellbeing and safety of children in sports, foster positive behaviour, build healthy social relationships, uphold standards of sportsmanship, and create a safe and constructive environment for sports activities. The policy includes the development of legal frameworks to prevent anyone who poses a threat to children participating in sports activities, in addition to preventing them from joining any sports entity, work or other environment that allows them to deal with children. It also focuses on coordination with the competent authorities and concerned parties to ensure the protection of the rights of all children participating in sports activities. The Child Protection Policy in the Sports Entities prohibits all forms of child abuse, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying in any form, and any type of discrimination based on race, age, gender, nationality, religion, or developmental delays. The policy was developed through the collaborative efforts of DCD, ADSC, and FCA, along with various relevant partners in the health, society, sports and education sectors, including the ECA, the UAE Pro League, Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), the Ministry of Education, in addition to the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and the Emirates Schools Establishment. The Department of Community Development invites all relevant entities and individuals to learn more about the Child Protection Policy in Sports Entities by visiting the official website:
Filipino Times
02-05-2025
- General
- Filipino Times
Abu Dhabi logs over 1.7M volunteer hours in 2024, up 95% from last year
Whether it's helping the elderly, supporting health campaigns, cleaning up the environment, or mentoring the youth, more residents in Abu Dhabi are finding time to give back—and in record numbers. In 2024, community members across Abu Dhabi contributed a massive 1.7 million volunteer hours, marking a 95% increase compared to the previous year. From students to professionals, people from all walks of life are stepping forward to help build a more compassionate and connected society. With a total of 1,709,177 volunteer hours, its economic value also reached AED123 million in 2024, a 98% increase from 2023. Each volunteer hour is valued at AED72, a rate introduced last year—the first of its kind in the UAE. According to the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi (DCD), this sharp rise shows not just a growing awareness about the value of volunteering, but also reflects the impact of recent policies designed to make volunteering more accessible, flexible, and rewarding. 'Through launching various initiatives, programmes, and activities, we continue to strengthen the culture of giving and social responsibility, leading to a 95 per cent increase in volunteer hours within just one year,' said His Excellency Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Sports Sector at DCD. Volunteering in Abu Dhabi now covers a wide range of causes—from healthcare, education, and sports to environmental efforts, social empowerment, and elderly care. Making it easier to contribute, Abu Dhabi's updated volunteering policy simplified the process of signing up, allowed for more flexible roles, and ensured better transparency. As a result, over 28,000 new volunteers registered last year, with 2,527 opportunities made available by 91 different organizations.
