Promoting civic engagement in the UAE

The Federal National Council last month urged authorities to stress the importance of political participation. During the session, Dr Obaid Ali Al Muhairi of Sharjah called for political participation to be made part of school curricula.

Civic engagement is crucial to building and strengthening a sense of identity and attachment to the nation. In a diverse and colourful society such as Dubai's, encouraging civic engagement, not just in political terms as suggested by Dr Al Muhairi, but also in non-political terms, can strengthen the bond between the various communities and contribute to the growth of the city. Civic engagement is defined as "working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities".

Western world

In Europe, the US and other progressive western societies, civil society is strong. Many individuals take an active role in their respected communities and see value in volunteering. This is partly due to the fact that in the western world, civil society is increasingly being recognised as an important agent of development alongside the market and the state. Studies have shown that civic engagement breeds benefits not only for societies and communities but also for the individual.

In the US, more than four in every 10 Americans (41 per cent) have volunteered in the past year, while 69 per cent of Americans have made donations to an organisation in the past year despite the effects of the economic crisis. In Europe, more than 100 million Europeans engage in voluntary activities and, through this, make a difference in their society.

In our region however, civic engagement is weak. Despite the fact that our society sees value in having a close social circle consisting of extended family, friends and neighbours, the idea of social responsibility is largely alien.

A poll conducted by the Gallup Centre for Muslim Studies shows that the majority of Arab youth do not volunteer in civil society organisations. A survey of youth in Morocco in 2000 showed that, on average, only 15 per cent of youth participated in the activities of any association (including sports associations). A similar survey in Egypt in 2009 found that only 3.3 per cent of young males and one per cent of young females took park in voluntary activities.

The vacuum is partly due to the fact that most in the Arab world remain sceptical about the true ability of non-governmental organisations to effect change. Despite this, some civil society experiences in the region that were driven from within proved to be quite successful. One example is the Al Resala Charity Organisation in Egypt that focuses on education, health-care services, recycling and social welfare. Al Resala was initially started by an engineering student in Cairo University but eventually grew to become the largest volunteer charity organisation in the country.

Here in the UAE, there is great potential to benefit from civic engagement, and people from all age groups can participate. For children, partaking in civic engagement activities can provide them with an opportunity to learn more about the emirate. Volunteering can also contribute to their healthy growth, instill confidence and develop their leadership skills. Volunteer activities could include a trip by a children's choir to a nursery; kids painting pottery items that are donated to a cancer organisation or baking and selling cupcakes with all profits donated to a local charity.

As for young adults, civic engagement will provide them with the opportunity to interact and diversify their views beyond the boundaries of a defined, traditional education. It will also help them build confidence and better prepare them to face the ‘real world'. Students can volunteer to work with the disabled, or at an art museum, or help a non-profit organisation with its marketing.

Society can also greatly benefit from senior citizens' experience. At the same time, older adults can pursue strength, structure, purpose, affiliation and growth as well as add meaning to their lives through civic engagement. Older adults can volunteer at a library, teach a local or foreign language, or help school children with art projects.

Role of government

To transform our society into one that values civic engagement, much needs to be done. Among other things, the government should conduct and promote research that contributes to the development of more effective social institutions, programmes and policies that will increase civic participation. In addition, volunteering should be made mandatory for high-school students.

For the state, with its capacity to enforce the rule of law, to set clear rules is essential in raising awareness of civic engagement, and encouraging its integration into society. The benefits of civic engagement are enormous, and it should therefore be fostered by the government.

Dina Khanat is an Arab-American writer based in Dubai.