Geneva: In a new global recognition of her considerable efforts to supporting family cohesion and social integration, the World Family Organisation has honoured the ‘Mother of the Nation’ Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), with the International Family Advocate Award for her outstanding contribution to the well-being of families worldwide.
The recognition came during the official launch of the sessions of the World Family Summit, which were held on Thursday in the Emirates Room at the UN HQ in Geneva, under the theme “No Family Left Behind”.
The summit saw the participation of an official delegation from the Family Development Foundation, headed by Ali Salem Al Kaabi, Director of the Office of the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the FDF Board of Trustees.
In her speech, Dr. Deisi Kusztra, President of the WFO, praised Shaikha Fatima’s efforts to ensure social care and provide greater stability, cohesion and co-operation between family members, not only in the UAE but also around the globe.
Dr. Kusztra expressed her pride of the role played by Shaikha Fatima, as well as their strong relations and co-operation in many areas, including their mutual deliberations and exchange of views about issues related to the family that concern all communities.
She added that she has met Shaikha Fatima and observed her considerable efforts and desire to promote an aware, creative and stable family, being a major player in the UAE growth and development drive.
Shaikha Fatima has unique humanitarian qualities that are shown by her efforts to support family values, cohesion and solidarity, Kusztra added, noting that since 2001, she has identified many of the services offered by the UAE to the family, women and children, under her patronage.
Kusztra further pointed out that Shaikha Fatima cares a lot about children, because she believes women and children are the future for the family, and that she has worked for the family to become solid, harmonious and integrated, considering this as the key to the success of all community institutions, whether social, educational, religious or environmental.
The international official stressed that the WFO, while celebrating its 70th anniversary, underlines the significance of honouring a truly effective and influential personality in the area of family cohesion and stability, which is why its Executive Council met and agreed that the most worthy person to honour is Shaikha Fatima.
Al Kaabi gave a speech where he passed on the greetings, wishes and appreciation of Shaikha Fatima to the audience, as well as of the Family Development Foundation and its working team for the sincere efforts made by the WFO to promote initiatives that support the family.
“Seventy years of multiple successes in inculcating the role of the family and preserving it are truly a global achievement and sincere translation of the efforts made over the past decades,” he said.
Al Kaabi also announced the Shaikha Fatima’s directives to launch a joint initiative between the WFO and FDF, to create an international award sponsored by Shaikha Fatima to honour distinguished families around the world.
The award will become a significant platform to highlight successful family experiences and international practices, that stems from Shaikha Fatima’s belief in the increasing importance of the family as the true nucleus of societies, as well as in preserving it and supporting the goal of guaranteeing sustainable social development, he added.
On behalf of Shaikha Fatima, Al Kaabi received the International Family Advocate Award, in the presence of Ambassador Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN, representatives of other international organisations in Geneva, and members of the Family Development Foundation’s delegation — Mohammad Saeed Al Neyadi, adviser, Strategic Planning and Organisation Development, Dr. Jameela Salman Khanji, Studies and Research Advisor, and Al Anoud Abdul Rahman Al Rumaithi, Strategic Planning Analyst.
“On behalf of Shaikha Fatima and the Family Development Foundation, I take the pleasure of presenting our deepest gratitude towards the WFO’s efforts to create a better future for families around the world. I am pleased to have this opportunity to congratulate the organisation on celebrating the 70th anniversary of its establishment, and on its vigorous efforts to support family stability and welfare,” Al Kaabi stated, after receiving Shaikha Fatima’s award.
He noted that the FDF-WFO partnership is an effective one that ensures the development of the Millennium Development Goals, through family-oriented programmes and projects with close relevance to the UAE’s culture. “We are a family, we affect and are affected by global events, and out of our faith in our partnership, we are working together to create an appropriate and sustainable environment for future generations,” he further added.
Maryam Mohammad Al Rumaithi, FDF Director-General, congratulated Shaikha Fatima on international accolade as well as on launching her international family award, in co-operation with the WFO and FDF, while expressing her pride and honour at Shaikha Fatima’s inspirational personality and her key universal initiatives, projects and services to support the family, women and children.
A ceremony will be held for the families who will win the award, in appreciation of their efforts and to help promote their successful stories as examples to be followed.
The ceremony will be attended by the winning families, the media and celebrities who support family causes, as well as organisations involved in the award, and members of the three committees to be formed for this purpose.
