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Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Image Credit: AHMED KUTTY/Gulf News Archive

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Community Development will see a qualitative leap in performing its mission and carrying out programmes to enhance human development and consolidating the concepts of national identity and allegiance to the country’s wise leadership.

Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development, made the statement on Sunday during his first meeting with staff of the ministry, General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare, and the National Council for Tourism and Antiquities at Etihad Towers Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Shaikh Nahyan said that the ministry will launch a number of strategic initiatives that aim to lay the foundation for a creative environment that encourages innovation for all national cadres specialised in culture, youth and community development affairs.

National identity-related initiatives will top the list of new initiatives to be launched by the ministry. The initiatives will boost the UAE’s status as a centre for moderation, inter-faith tolerance, cultural communication, and nurturing the potential and talent of Emirati youth, as well as using all capabilities and resources necessary to enhance the ability of youth to support the country’s march of progress and cultural development.

Shaikh Nahyan lauded the wise directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who always emphasises the importance of cultural and community development in the country and raising it to world-class levels.

Shaikh Nahyan praised His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for supporting youth, culture and community development in the country.

He expressed his pride in the great trust bestowed upon him by the UAE leadership, by mandating him to hold the post of Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development. “We are determined and committed to bringing about a unique leap in the country’s cultural and development system,” Shaikh Nahyan said.

Shaikh Nahyan underlined that the ministry will play a key role in human development and sustainable community development to be an effective party in making the UAE a bridge that connects all cultures, and serves as a meeting point of all civilisations.

The ministry will soon draw up and implement ambitious plans to activate and develop the cultural, literary and art environment as an essential approach at this stage, which is witnessing a massive revolution in information technology and telecommunications. He stressed that the ministry will also work to establish an active theatrical, art and literary movement in the country to serve the issues of community development and enrich people’s lives. As such, the ministry will adopt the idea of exposing everyone to theatre and art in a manner that meets the needs of all community members and unlocks their positive potential. The ministry also aims to utilise culture, literature and arts in environment development, adopting community initiatives, rationalising human behaviour and stimulating interests in order to improve the quality of life.

The ministry aims to launch specialised initiatives that deal with community development issues, such as life and social skills, preparing individuals for useful life, giving attention to various languages and cultures, activating the role of productive families, nurturing gifted and creative people, and encouraging the project of reading for all.

The ministry will draw up an integrated national strategy in the field of tourism and archaeology that involves all parts of the country and emphasises its prestigious reputation as an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourism, as well as a country rich in its historical sites and heritage.