Dubai, known for its relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, has unveiled a visionary plan that sets the stage for a transformative decade ahead. The ‘Dubai Social Agenda 33’ is a monumental Dh208 billion social welfare budget spanning the next ten years, focusing profoundly on families and individuals. The primary objective? To elevate Dubai’s standard of living and secure its place among the world’s top three cities. In this comprehensive guide, we delve deep into the ambitious agenda, exploring its key facets, goals, and the impact it promises to have on the lives of Emirati families.
Family-Centric Approach: The Core of Dubai Social Agenda 33
A Two-Fold Increase in Emirati Families
The ‘Dubai Social Agenda 33’ is unapologetically family-centric. It seeks to double the number of Emirati families within a decade. But what’s the driving force behind this objective, and how does Dubai plan to achieve it?
Dubai’s leadership recognizes that a nation’s strength lies in its families and people, not just infrastructure or financial prowess. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, succinctly stated, “Our nation is not merely buildings and figures; it is made up of families and people.” This visionary outlook emphasizes the importance of family life, social cohesion, and the well-being of individuals.
A World-Class Standard of Living
Dubai aspires to offer its residents the world’s highest standard of living. The ‘Dubai Social Agenda 33’ envisions the creation of residential neighbourhoods that epitomize luxury, comfort, and quality of life. But what concrete steps will be taken to turn this vision into reality?
The agenda promises to provide land and loans to every Emirati family within a year of application, ensuring that the dream of owning a home becomes tangible for all. This bold move reflects Dubai’s commitment to empowering families and enhancing their living conditions.
Objectives of Dubai Social Agenda 33
The ‘Dubai Social Agenda 33’ sets five main objectives that form the cornerstone of its transformative journey:
1. Fostering Happy and Cohesive Families
Embracing Local Values and National Identity
The agenda aims to foster happy, cohesive families, and deeply connected to local values and their national identity. By doing so, it seeks to promote a sense of belonging and unity within the Emirati community.
Enhancing Productivity and Self-Sufficiency
To achieve this, the agenda focuses on enhancing the productivity of families. It promotes self-sufficiency and financial independence, improving family and social stability. But how will these goals be realized?
2. Revolutionizing Healthcare
Dubai recognizes the importance of a robust healthcare system in ensuring the well-being of its residents. The agenda’s objectives in this domain are clear:
Efficient and Affordable Healthcare
The ‘Dubai Social Agenda 33’ strives to promote an efficient and affordable healthcare system. This involves addressing healthcare accessibility and affordability, safeguarding every Emirati family’s health.
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
In addition to healthcare access, the agenda advocates for healthy lifestyles. It emphasizes physical activities, good nutrition, and mental health as key components of a thriving society.
3. Transforming Education
To meet the evolving aspirations of Dubai, the agenda focuses on revolutionizing the education system:
Future-Oriented Education
Dubai envisions an education system that aligns with its future aspirations. High-quality and affordable education are at the forefront of this objective. But what does ‘future-oriented education’ entail?
4. Empowerment and Equal Opportunities
A proactive social system is vital in any thriving society. The ‘Dubai Social Agenda 33’ outlines its plans for empowerment and equal opportunities:
Protection and Empowerment
Dubai aims to create a proactive social system that provides protection and empowerment to its residents. It seeks to ensure equal opportunities for all and encourages humanitarian work. How will these aspirations be turned into reality?
5. Infrastructure, Culture, and Community Participation
Dubai’s ambitions extend beyond the fundamental aspects of life. It seeks to foster a well-rounded society through its fifth objective:
Promoting Culture and Arts
Culture and arts are at the heart of any vibrant society. The agenda aims to promote a competitive culture and arts scene, allowing residents to embrace their artistic side.
Community Participation in Sports
Sports have the power to unite communities. Dubai plans to encourage community participation in sports, fostering an environment where physical activity is a shared experience.
Budget Allocation: A Glimpse into the Future
The Dh208 billion allocated to the ‘Dubai Social Agenda 33’ reflects the emirate’s unwavering commitment to social development. Let’s delve into the specifics:
Healthcare Takes the Lead
Government funding for healthcare will experience a significant boost, reaching Dh120 billion until 2033. This substantial allocation underscores Dubai’s dedication to providing accessible and top-quality healthcare services to its residents.
The Expansive Social Wellbeing Budget
The budget for social wellbeing, encompassing education, citizen support, social institutions, arts and culture, citizen housing, and sports, will soar to Dh88 billion until 2033. This marks a remarkable three-fold increase compared to the past decade.
Breakdown of the Dh88 Billion Budget
- Citizen Support and Wellbeing: Dh26 billion
- Social Institutions: Dh21.9 billion
- Emirati Housing: Dh14.5 billion
- Education and Entrepreneurship: Dh13 billion
- Arts and Culture: Dh6.4 billion
- Sports: Dh6.2 billion
This comprehensive allocation reflects Dubai’s holistic approach to social development, encompassing diverse facets of life.
Conclusion
Dubai’s ‘Dubai Social Agenda 33’ is more than just a budget; it’s a vision for a brighter future. With a relentless focus on empowering families, enhancing healthcare, transforming education, promoting social well-being, and nurturing culture, Dubai sets the stage for a decade of growth and prosperity. As this visionary agenda unfolds, it is bound to leave a lasting impact on the lives of Emirati families and elevate Dubai to new heights, solidifying its place among the world’s most livable cities. Dubai’s commitment to a better tomorrow is not just a promise; it’s a resounding declaration of intent.
