The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi organizes informational workshops on the 'Damj' award with participation from organizations across all sectors in the emirate
Submissions for the award open on July 1st and will run through the end of August 2025.
Abu Dhabi – The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi organized a series of interactive orientation workshops introducing the Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion – Damj. The sessions welcomed representatives from government, private, and third sector organizations across the emirate.
These workshops aim to empower participating organizations to develop inclusive strategies and initiatives in line with global best practices. This aligns with Abu Dhabi's vision of building an inclusive society that provides equal opportunities for all. The sessions also introduced participants to the award's pillars, categories, and objectives, along with its assessment tool, participation criteria, and nomination process – all designed to foster a shared understanding and strengthen institutional inclusion efforts across workplaces, community services and accessibility.
The workshops featured engaging sessions that outlined the award's role in recognizing and motivating entities to adopt inclusive services and equitable employment practices. The ultimate goal is to ensure the sustainability of inclusive practices that empower People of Determination in every aspect of life.
The award is expected to engage over 600 entities across various sectors to provide inclusive, accessible environments – both physical and digital. It also seeks to enhance economic participation for People of Determination through more than 80 entities, offering over 500 inclusive services across six key sectors, representing a true commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and equality.
One of the workshops highlights included inspiring personal testimonies from members of the People of Determination community. They shared their life experiences and the ongoing challenges they face in areas such as infrastructure, transport, accessibility, and education. They also emphasized the significant impact of multi-sector efforts from government, private, and third-sector partners in improving the quality of life for People of Determination and their families.
The workshops also included a comprehensive presentation of the award's structure, which is built around 3 main pillars and 10 categories. The first is the Inclusive Services pillar, which features 6 categories covering the industries of health, education, tourism and entertainment, transportation and mobility, and third sector services. The second is the Inclusive Employment pillar, which includes two categories recognizing the best inclusive work environment for employing People of Determination. The third pillar focuses on Accessibility, with two categories honoring entities that excel in providing both physical and digital accessibility.
The sessions further highlighted the specific criteria and requirements for each pillar and service, in addition to outlining the stages of assessment and the nomination submission process, supported by vivid examples for each service.
The sessions also provided insights into evaluation criteria, nomination requirements, and examples illustrating the kinds of initiatives eligible for each category.
Additionally, third-sector organizations presented models of their inclusive services, demonstrating their pivotal role in supporting People of Determination across different aspects of life. These presentations served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among attendees.
Her Excellency Dr. Layla Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Community Development Sector at the Department of Community Development, affirmed that the Damj Award is a vital enabler for sustaining inclusive environments and practices. She described the award as a strategic driver that encourages entities to adopt forward-thinking policies promoting equal opportunity and empowering People of Determination as active partners in development.
Dr. Al Hyas urged all public, private, and third-sector entities to leverage this opportunity to submit impactful, innovative initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of People of Determination. She emphasized that excellence in inclusion is not only about meeting standards but about creating sustainable, innovative, and measurable change. She added: "We are confident in Abu Dhabi's entities and their ability to lead inclusive transformation. Every initiative submitted today marks a step toward a more inclusive society."
To conclude the workshop, the award team hosted a Q&A session, responding to participants' inquiries about the nomination process and requirements. The team also expressed its availability to hold one-on-one sessions with interested entities and encouraged communication via email at: damj@addcd.gov.ae
It is worth noting that submissions for the Damj Award will open on July 1, 2025, and continue through August 31, 2025, followed by an assessment phase in September and October, with the winners to be honoured at an extraordinary ceremony in early 2026.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UAE Moments
an hour ago
- UAE Moments
Emirati Teen With Disability Inspires Crowd With His Speech
In a moment that left no dry eye in the room, 17-year-old Mayed Al-Teneiji, a high school graduate from Shamal Secondary School in Ras Al Khaimah, took center stage — not just to receive his certificate, but to deliver an unforgettable speech that echoed resilience, love, and hope. Born with a motor disability, Mayed's journey to graduation was far from easy. But when he confidently addressed the crowd, he spoke with the voice of someone who had weathered the hardest storms. "This moment didn't come easy. It came with hardships, tears of patience, and the constant prayers of my mom and dad, who supported me every step of the way," Mayed said in his heartfelt message titled "My Message." His father, Sultan Al Aray Al-Teneiji, stood proudly in the audience, visibly moved. "It was a feeling that can't be described," he said. "For us, this was not just a ceremony — it was a victory." A Message of Strength and Determination Mayed's voice resonated with strength as he shared: "Yes, my body may be weak but my will, my abilities, and my spirit are stronger. I've learned that 'hard' doesn't mean 'impossible,' and in the end, the reward is worth every struggle." He continued with a powerful reminder: "Don't lose hope. The road is tough, but the destination is beautiful. And to my friends, don't look at people of determination as different. We are just like you, maybe even stronger." A Family's Daily Battle Behind this moment stood years of full-time care. From physical therapy to medical home visits, Sultan described how Mayed's condition meant a lifetime of around-the-clock support. "We made sure there were regular visits from medical professionals to stimulate his circulation and strengthen his body, as he doesn't walk," Sultan said. And yet, the perseverance didn't stop with Mayed — his younger brother, Abdullah, was diagnosed with the same condition. Sultan now looks ahead to Abdullah's own graduation in two years. Support From School and Society Sultan praised the compassion shown by the school staff, saying they eased many daily difficulties. "Sitting for long hours is physically painful, especially after surgeries on their spines. But the school adapted, letting them leave early or arrive later when needed," he explained. The support system extended beyond the school. Sultan noted the importance of government backing and community encouragement that helped make Mayed's milestone possible. Looking Ahead Mayed has his sights set on university, though the family acknowledges the upcoming challenges. "University won't be easy. He'll need a companion with him. That's why we're considering remote learning," Sultan said. "But whatever comes next, I know he will face it with the same courage." From a small classroom in Ras Al Khaimah, Mayed's voice has now reached hearts far beyond — a reminder that true strength doesn't come from the body, but from the will to rise again, no matter how many times life knocks you down.
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
WhatsApp divorce: What UAE law says about ending marriage over chat
Question: I am a working lady from an Asian country. I am living alone here, and my husband is in his home country. Due to personal differences, he sent me a divorce in a voice note on WhatsApp. Please let me know what the UAE law says about divorce on WhatsApp. Answer: It is assumed that you and your husband are Muslims, and earlier your husband was a resident of the UAE. Furthermore, it is assumed that you intend to accept the divorce pronounced by your husband. In the UAE, a divorce is defined as the dissolution of the marriage contract by the will of a husband through words indicating such separation. This is in accordance with Article 53 of the UAE Personal Status Law, which states, 'Divorce is the dissolution of the marriage contract by the will of the husband through the word indicating it. There are two types of these words: 1. Explicitly, which is the word of divorce or a derivative thereof. Metaphorically, which is a word that may mean divorce or something else if the husband intends to divorce by it.' A divorce is recognised in the UAE if a husband pronounces it to his wife either by speech or writing. This is in accordance with Article 54(1) of the UAE Personal Status Law, which states, 'Divorce is pronounced by the husband by speech or writing by any means, and if he is unable to do either, then by a comprehensible signal.' However, a husband is required to document the divorce in the competent court within 15 days of the pronouncement of divorce. This is in accordance with the Article 58 (1) of the UAE Personal Status Law, 'The husband shall document the divorce before the competent court within a maximum period of (15) fifteen days from the date of its occurrence, and this does not prejudice the wife's right to file a case to prove the divorce.' An individual may file a civil or personal case against his or her spouse, even though the spouse does not have residency in the UAE. This is in accordance with Article 4(2) of the UAE Personal Status Law and Article 20(4) of the UAE Civil Procedure Code, which reads as follows: Article 4(2) of the UAE Personal Status Law - Competence of Courts in Cases Filed Against a Foreigner Who Has No Domicile in the State 'If the case is related to a request to revoke or annul a marriage contract, or to divorce or repudiation, and the case is filed by a state citizen wife or a wife who has lost the citizenship of the state, provided that she has a domicile or place of residence in the state, or if it is filed by a wife who has a domicile or place of residence in the state against her husband who had a domicile, place of residence or place of work in the state, provided that the husband has abandoned his wife and made his domicile or place of residence or place of work abroad, has been deported from the state or if his domicile abroad is unknown.' Article 20 (4) of the UAE Civil Procedure Code 'The courts shall have jurisdiction over a foreigner who has no place of residence or domicile in the State in the following case: - If the legal proceeding is instituted by a wife who has a place of residence in the state against her husband who had a place of residence therein'. Additionally, a notarised foreign document may be enforced in the UAE. This is in accordance with Article 224 under Chapter 4 of Execution of Foreign Judgments, Orders and Instruments of the UAE Civil Procedure Code, which states, '1. An order may be made for the enforcement in the State of notarised documents and Memoranda of Composition certified by the Courts of a foreign country on the same conditions laid down in the laws of that country for the enforcement of similar instruments issued in the State. 2. An application for an enforcement order in Clause (1) of this Article shall be requested by means of a petition submitted to the Execution Judge with the same procedures and conditions stipulated in Clause (2) of Article [222] of this Code. No order for enforcement may be made until after it has been ascertained that the conditions for the enforceability of the document or memorandum have been satisfied in accordance with the law of the country in which it was notarised or certified and that it contains nothing contrary to morals or public order in the state.' Based on the above, a divorce pronounced by your husband via voice notes over WhatsApp outside the UAE may be valid if it fulfils the tests laid down in the provisions of UAE law mentioned hereinabove. If you have a consensus on the divorce pronounced by your husband, who is outside the UAE, you may request him to obtain a notarised document confirming the contents of the voice notes over WhatsApp sent to you, if the same is a valid procedure in his home country. Thereafter, once the said document is attested by the UAE embassy in the home country of your husband, it should be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. On completion of this procedure, you need to legally translate the divorce confirmation document mentioned above and attest it from the Ministry of Justice in the UAE. For further clarification on this matter, you may seek legal advice from a legal counsel practising in the UAE, or you may approach a Personal Status Court in the UAE to seek more clarification on this matter.
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE travel: Long flights could increase blood clot risks, doctors warn
As summer travel peaks, doctors have urged residents with pre-existing health concerns to get medical clearance before flying, and also watch for post-flight symptoms like chest pain or leg swelling. A UAE resident, who returned from an eight-hour flight from the UK, ended up in the ICU after developing a serious blood clot in his lungs, a condition known as pulmonary embolism (PE). The man arrived at RAK Hospital's Emergency Department with persistent chest pain that had lasted three days, was quickly diagnosed and treated. Doctors say the case is a stark reminder of the potential health risks linked to prolonged immobility during air travel. The patient was diagnosed with acute PE through CT pulmonary angiography and admitted to the ICU. He received anticoagulant therapy and was discharged in stable condition. But medical experts say the incident could have been life-threatening if left untreated. 'Pulmonary embolism often starts as a blood clot in the leg, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can travel to the lungs and block blood flow,' said Dr Suha Alsheikh Suleman, specialist pulmonologist at RAK Hospital. 'Long-haul flights increase this risk significantly, especially in people who are obese, pregnant, have respiratory or cardiac issues, or a history of clots.' Doctors across the UAE are now urging travelers to take simple but crucial precautions during flights, and to take any unusual post-flight symptoms seriously. Who's at risk? According to Dr Marian Malak Eshak Morkos, specialist family medicine at Burjeel Day Surgery Center in Al Shahama, travelers with the following conditions should consult their doctor before flying long distances: Heart disease or recent surgery Chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD or asthma Uncontrolled diabetes Recent illnesses like pneumonia or COVID-19 High-risk pregnancy (especially third trimester) History of blood clots "A proper pre-travel consultation helps determine whether oxygen support or preventive medication is needed,' said Dr Marian. Stay safe in the sky Dry cabin air, cramped seating, and reduced mobility during long-haul flights can combine to increase clotting risk, especially when travelers skip hydration or remain sedentary for long hours. "Cabin air is extremely dry, and people forget to hydrate,' added Dr Marian. 'When you combine that with sitting for six hours or more, and possibly drinking alcohol or caffeine, it's a perfect storm for clot formation.' Doctors recommend: Getting up and walking every 1–2 hours during the flight Drinking plenty of water. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking Wearing compression stockings if advised by a doctor Avoiding sedatives that might reduce mobility For high-risk patients such as those with cancer or known clotting disorders, a dose of blood thinner like low-molecular-weight heparin may be prescribed before flying, based on individual risk. Don't ignore these symptoms Symptoms of a blood clot can appear during the flight or days after landing. Doctors highlighted the importance of recognizing warning signs early: 'These are not just signs of jet lag or fatigue, they may be life-threatening,' said Dr Suha. 'If ignored, PE can result in lung damage, heart strain, or even sudden death.' What to do mid-air? If symptoms arise during a flight, travelers are advised to notify the cabin crew immediately. 'Most airlines are equipped for in-flight medical situations,' said Dr Marian. 'If oxygen is available, it may help those with breathing difficulties. If leg swelling becomes noticeable, try to elevate it and reduce pressure, but follow up with a doctor as soon as you land.' Doctors mentioned that PE is preventable, and that simple awareness and preparation can save lives. 'People don't think of air travel as a health hazard,' said Dr Marian. 'But for some, it can trigger serious complications. A short check-up can make all the difference.'
