DFWAC discuss partnership with Global Child Forum

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children has held discussions with the Global Child Forum, an independent international initiative for research and dialogue initiated by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, enhancing joint cooperation and building capabilities, especially in the field of protection and care of victims of child abuse.

This came during a meeting between Dr. Abdullah Al Khayat, Chairman of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, and Ulf Karlberg, Chairman of the Global Child Forum, during his visit to the foundation's headquarters in Dubai recently, in the presence of Afra Al Basti, Director General of DFWAC and a number of board members and management of the foundation.

Dr. Abdullah Al Khayat welcomed the visiting delegation, praising the cooperation of the Global Child Forum and its support for the foundation's efforts in the field of care and child protection, noting the importance of collaboration between the various bodies working in this field, whether at the local or international level to provide adequate care for all children around the world.

Al Khayat reviewed the foundation's efforts and the importance of its role in the care of women and children in UAE society, especially as there are more than 200 different nationalities living here, each with its own cultures and values, and DFWAC opens its doors to help everyone in this society without exception.

He added that the UAE provides all means of care for all and considers them part of the community, and so out of the values and culture of UAE that call to respect others from all religions and nationalities, the foundation works to strengthen family bonds and spread awareness to reach a community free of violence.

Ulf Karlberg praised the efforts of DFWAC, pointing out that it is unique in the region where there isn't a lot of agencies that provide the same services, and because it is also a non-governmental organisation that has the support of the government as well as the private sector as well as local and international bodies.

Karlberg also reviewed the history and the establishment of the forum and its efforts in the area of child care around the world, pointing out that the forum seeks to strengthen cooperation with the foundation and take advantage of its potential in many other areas relating to children, including studies.

Afra Al Basti said that DFWAC is looking forward to cooperating with various regional and international bodies to enhance capability building and to find the best global practices in the care of women and children, as well as providing the necessary support for the implementation of various awareness initiatives implemented by the foundation, noting that the Global Child Forum is one of the most important partners of these bodies.

She added, "Despite the recent establishment of DFWAC it has been able to become, in a few years, a model for many other organisations in the region that work in the same field, and that has come through international experiences and practices, including the experience of the Kingdom of Sweden in this field."

Al Basti explained that the cooperation and partnership between the forum and the foundation in organising the last session of the Global Child Forum, which was held in Dubai last year, followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two sides, opens the way for further cooperation and joint initiatives in the future that are in favour of the community and children in general.

The foundation received an official invitation to attend the next session of Global Child Forum, which is going to be held in South Africa, during the meeting, which was attended by Shaikha Al Mansouri, Assistant Director-General for Corporate Support at DFWAC, and Maryam bin Theneya, Communication Director.

The foundation had participated in the Partners Board Meeting of the Global Child Forum for Children, which was held last month in the presence of the King and Queen of Sweden, under the title of, "sustainable partnerships and the rights of the child", at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.