UAE society feels pangs of change

The UAE society has been experiencing rapid changes over the years, with the most dramatic of them taking place specifically in the past decade. The ramifications of all these changes have to be highlighted and addressed.

A recent conference in Abu Dhabi titled 'World in a Family' has tried to put across the necessary steps that the UAE society must follow in order to preserve its essence. Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairperson of the UAE General Women's Union highlighted all the right elements in her address at the conference.

"The warmth of families in the past is no more today. Our societies that are protected by the values of our religion face grave dangers that we have to face in an honest manner. Today's problems combined with the keenness on developing businesses must not be an alibi for cold relations between members of the same family," she said.

Perhaps the issue of great concern for many Emiratis is how to continue with the development process and yet sustain a level of cohesiveness among members of the community. In a fast-paced changing environment, this is a big challenge.