A delegation from the Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi visited Japan with a view to exchanging experiences and learning about best practices in the field of social development, in addition to discussing cooperation opportunities in related fields.
The delegation included His Excellency Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development; Dr. Bushra Al Mulla, Director General of the Family Welfare Authority; Her Excellency Dr. Laila Al Hayas, Executive Director of the Community Development Sector; Her Excellency Eng. Sheikha Al Hosani, Executive Director of the Social Monitoring and Innovation Sector; Dr. Mona Al-Bahr, Advisor to the Chairman of the Department of Community Development; and Dr. Masoud Badri, Advisor to the Chairman of the Department of Community Development.
The delegation were hosted at several official meetings with high-level representatives from Japanese government agencies, most notably the Japanese Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the National Institute for Population Studies and Social Security Research, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency.
The Department's delegation reviewed the efforts made by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the field of community development and quality of life, in addition to shedding light on the most prominent strategies and initiatives that the social sector in the emirate is working on, with the aim of providing a decent life for all members of society.
During the visit, the delegation learned about the most important social priorities in Japan, which include fertility, gender balance, mental health, and the elderly. The delegation was also briefed on several successful initiatives that have contributed to enhancing quality of life in Japan.
The team was also briefed on social projects and initiatives that are being implemented in partnership with the private sector and the third sector, and the significant contribution of these sectors have made towards improving the standard of living of Japanese society. The visit also highlighted the importance of leveraging the latest technological innovation to create effective and sustainable solutions to many social challenges and support social and health care initiatives.
The Department of Community Development emphasized that Japan holds a prestigious position in the world as not only an advanced nation in many fields but also a country that sees its citizens achieve immense longevity. The Department’s visit aimed to learn from Japan's experiences and strategies to overcome this issue. The visit is also an opportunity to benefit from the best practices and experiences in Japan and to discuss opportunities for joint cooperation in many related fields.