Go green
1. The UAE has such a wealth of diverse natural beauty. We should take the time to explore the outdoors.
2. It’s essential that while enjoying nature’s abundant beauty we try to maintain it and avoid throwing trash or doing anything that will harm the natural surroundings.
Stefan Geyser, complex director of human resources, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
3. We need to use more home grown, indigenous things that will reduce our carbon footprint. Items such as camel milk chocolates need to be promoted as they represent a step forward in encouraging the sustainable use of the UAE’s natural resources.
Jani Viswanath, director, Candelite
4. Energy-saving light bulbs should be introduced in public areas to reduce our eco footprint.
Shamsh Hadi, general manager, Arabian Dreams Deluxe Hotel Apartments
5. It takes a lot of effort to keep the city on the desert green, blooming and precisely clean. We should be more sensitive towards the environment.
Maggie Kozinkova, operations manager, Sweet Factory
6. We should make it a habit to follow the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle – to help reduce our carbon footprint.
Sabrina Martorana, wellness club manager, Balance Well Being 360
7. Save paper by opting for online billing and monthly statements.
Riosh Krishnan, director, Spark Media
Children are our future
8. More and more educational institutions should nurture and develop home grown talent.
9. The UAE is an ideal example of what great leadership, vision and hard work can achieve. This must be communicated to the new generation so the challenge is not forgotten and our quest for excellence continues.
Adnan Peter Malki, managing director, Flicker Show, an AV production facility
10. Children need to be educated to be confident, humble and well-rounded individuals who are leaders in their own right.
11. Bad eating habits and little exercise is leading to childhood obesity. Parents should treat the health of children as their top priority.
Inna Chernikova, swimming coach, Al Khaleej National School
12. Eco awareness as a subject should be made mandatory in school syllabuses.
Asha M, teacher
13. Cultivate a generation of confident children in the Middle East by offering platforms such as fashion shows and finishing schools.
Rahul Saxena, head of marketing, Babyshop
14. Schools should emphasise ethics, tolerance, a green environment and maintain a high level of academics. This will ensure that children of UAE citizens are well prepared to compete with the rest of the world and keep the city ahead of its competitors and as an example for the rest of the world.
Maggie Kozinkova, operations manager, Sweet Factory
15. All residents must learn to speak Arabic.
16. All of us should work towards getting a certificate in first aid so in an emergency we can help a person in distress.
Maricel Rubio, sales coordinator, Future Pipe Industries, Dubai
A healthy outlook
17. Traditionally people see getting fit as running for hours on a treadmill and regard fitness activities as a chore. My passion is to make fitness more fun and adopting a healthy lifestyle a want rather than just a need; in doing that, I hope to give the community a chance to embrace health and wellness options.
18. To reduce the high incidence of obesity and diabetes, we need to bring fitness clubs to the doorsteps of people and make them easily accessible.
19. Online streaming of fitness training and motivational videos through social media sites could help people follow a simple home workout even if they miss their daily exercise due to a long day in the office.
George Flooks, COO, Fitness First Middle East
20. The application of ancient Ayurvedic wisdom can do wonders to the physical, emotional and mental well-being of UAE residents.
21. Affordable spa solutions at state-of-the-art facilities will significantly lower stress levels and contribute to making the UAE a nation of healthier and happier people.
Sabrina Martorana, wellness club manager, Balance Well Being 360
22. We should have more sport-related events to help develop fraternity and bring more communities and nationalities together in the UAE.
23. Health is one aspect we should not ignore. We must spend more time staying fit both mentally and physically.
Salim Saidi, school sports co-ordinator, Dubai Sports Council
24. We should all volunteer to raise awareness about certain health issues that are prevalent in the country. The recent run against diabetes is a case in point.
Deepali R, HR assistant
Let’s keep moving
25. Split office timings could help reduce traffic jams.
26. In some cities like Cebu, in the Philippines, the government encourages the use of mini buses inside the city to cut down on traffic jams. This is also an economical solution for middle-class people.
Rashid Hamid, senior accountant, International Construction Contracting Co LLC, Abu Dhabi
27. Implementing a colour or number coding scheme to manage traffic is perhaps one way to reduce congestion. For instance, if the last digit on the number plate is an odd number, it should be banned from the roads on a particular day of the week. [We could do the same] for those with even numbers. This would reduce the number of cars on the road and would encourage car owners to use public transport or car pooling.
Michelle Hernani, civil engineer, Workers Village Real Estate LLC
28. The Metro service could be extended to other parts of the UAE especially Sharjah. It could go a long way in reducing physical and mental stress from commuting.
Imran Mohammad Iqbal, logistics executive, Panasonic Marketing Middle East
29. A fast train between Dubai and Abu Dhabi would be a boon to commuters.
Natasha Quariab, freelance English/Arabic MC, presenter and voice-over artist from the UK
Celebrating differences
30. We should be proud that we are living in such a multicultural country and must make an effort to get to know more about the culture and heritage of other nationalities.
31. We must learn more about the wonderful culture of the UAE.
32. We must be honest at all times and work towards creating a nation that has no problems at all.
Salah Eldin Eltayeb, senior officer, corporate communications, Dubai Airport Free Zone
33. Together we can continue to translate the vision of the leaders in this country through spearheading on-the-ground programmes and actions. We need to think of new and creative avenues to supplement the process of building this country.
34. Through spreading the beauty of brotherhood, we must retain the beautiful soul in every resident. In doing so, we will keep alive the spirit of the union that we celebrate today as a testimony to our country’s glorious history.
Abdel-Fattah Hydra, senior supervisor – Traffic Department, RTA
35. We all can make Dubai a better place by being more respectful and tolerant to each other.
Maggie Kozinkova, operations manager, Sweet Factory
And finally…
36. Pets should be loved as part of the family and they should not be ill treated.
Stefan Geyser, complex director of human resources, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
37. Say hello to the stranger on the street or in the elevator. A smile and can brighten anyone’s day.
38. The next time you go shopping, park your car further away from the store and walk the extra distance. This would free up a spot for someone who may need it more.
Riosh Krishnan, Director, Spark Media
39. We must particularly value and respect workers. They are the ones who helped build Dubai.
Maggie Kozinkova, Operations Manager, Sweet Factory
40. Workers should be made aware of their rights, duties and responsibilities before they arrive into the UAE.
Nafisa Muzawar, Sales Supervisor, New Medical Centre (NMC) for Beiersdorf (Nivea Colour Cosmetics)
