SHARJAH GOVERNMENT MEDIA BUREAU - SHARJAH, April 30 , 2019 -The Executive Office of Sharjah Age-friendly Programme held a brainstorming session, titled “Ideas Inspiration for Future Initiatives for Sharjah Age-Friendly City Programme” on Sunday at Sharjah Consultative Council, presented by Dr. Fatima AlOwais, Physiotherapist at Al Qassimi Hospital.

The session saw the participation 82 senior citizens, inspirational figures, and government and non-government coordinators. It was aimed at sharing creative ideas on initiatives and activities that help improve services offered to the elderly across all sectors, based on the eight main domains of the age-friendly cities Programme, which are Outdoor Spaces and Buildings, Transportation, Housing, Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion, Civic Participation and Employment, Communication and Information, Community and Health Services.

“The brainstorming session resulted in a variety of ideas and initiatives that will help serves older citizens, who played an important role in building the community. Today we have to return the favor now because what we have to today is the fruit of their efforts,” said Asma Al Khudari, Director of the Executive Office of Sharjah Age-friendly Programme.

She added: “Through the brainstorming session, we aim to come up with applicable innovative initiatives according to the directive as His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah constantly to look after this category.”

Al Khudari asserted that Sharjah works in line with the strategic plan of the International Network of Age-Friendly Cities, which seeks to enable the elderly to participate in society and provide them with a decent life by supporting the environment that protects their lives.” 

Dr. Fatima Al Owais, a physiotherapist at Al Qassimi Hospital, pointed to the importance of society’s segments in serving the elderly by proposing creative and innovative ideas that improves their environment and services.

She indicated that thanks to efforts of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Sharjah is the first Arab city to join the International Network of Age-Friendly Cities.

Introducing the Participants to the rules of brainstorming that guarantee suggesting ideas that align with eight domains of Aga-Friendly Cities, Dr. Al Owais asserted that a key role to be open to all ideas and not dismiss any idea no matter how small.

The workshop witnessed the active participation of older citizens who contributed a variety of ideas that will help develop an integrated care system to insure a decent life with the elderly, and as well as their participation in developmental march while tapping into their potential and expertise.