ABU DHABI, 26th March, 2017 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Chairman of Emirates Foundation, launched today the nationwide Youth Development and Wellbeing Index Survey through an introductory video highlighting the importance of having such an index in helping the country design smarter policies and investments to improve opportunities for young people. Being the first comprehensive attempt to capture the state of UAE Youth Development and Wellbeing, the minister called upon families and youth across all seven Emirates to contribute to making this initiative a success by participating in this nationwide survey.
Emirates Foundation is championing the Youth Development and Wellbeing Index Survey, in partnership with, the Emirates Youth Council, Dubai Economy and the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority. The Index is designed to provide a baseline of national data on the state of youth wellbeing and factors impacting and affecting youth development. Aligned with the National Strategy for Youth Development, it will also help to bring youth issues to the forefront of leaders and stakeholders agendas and will guide the development of policies and strategies that advance youth wellbeing in the country.
The Youth Index is in line with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, that "the next generation is a vital driving force for progress" and in line with the vision of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, that "our formula for change is development that is based on a system of values upheld by the youth to foresee the future and seek to achieve happiness for all." The Index initiative was launched today at a press conference at St. Regis Hotel, Abu Dhabi Corniche, in the presence of Shamma bint Sohail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Chairwoman of the Emirates Youth Council, and Board Member of the Emirates Foundation, Abdullah Naser Lootah, Director-General of Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, Maytha Al Habsi, Deputy CEO of Emirates Foundation and Khuloud Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation.
Based on a composite index of 14 social, economic and political indicators benchmarked globally, the UAE Youth Development and Wellbeing Index, the first of its kind on a regional GCC and Middle East level, will measure youth needs across key areas including education, health, safety and security, values and traditions, consumption habits, employment, leisure, decision making, and community engagement.
The Index field work is expected to be launched on April 2nd, covering a sample of 6,600 participants from across all Emirates, and will be implemented by a team of representatives from statistics centres across various Emirates including Abu Dhabi Statistic Centre, Dubai Statistics Centre, Fujairah Statistics Centre and Ras al-Khaimah Statistics Centre; with the support of volunteers from Emirates Foundations Takatof Volunteering Programme, who have received special field work training by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority.
Commenting on the Index, Shamma Al Mazrui said, "Launched by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Youth Development and Wellbeing Index was designed to provide a sound platform to guide us on the right path towards youth development in line with the national youth strategy launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. In this respect, we need the support of every youth and family in the UAE and I will be the first to take the survey as I recognise its importance towards realising our nations progress and sustainable development." She further elaborated that "The Emirates Youth Council will be promoting the survey and the field research amongst youth through the different youth councils across the country."
Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.
