In collaboration with Zayed University

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, May 5th 2015 [ME NewsWire]

The Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center initiated a brainstorming session to generate creative ideas in the field of child protection. The initiative, a first of its kind in this field, has been implemented in a methodical manner, in accordance with specific rules by Expert Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Omar Ibrahim Al Ali, Deputy Director the Creativity and Leadership Development Center. Present at the session were an elite group of Zayed University students.

Major General Dr. Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Child Protection at the Ministry of Interior, noted that the initiative comes in response to the higher leadership’s directives and consistent with the vision and strategy of the UAE Government towards making the year 2015 a year of innovation and creativity.

Adding further, he said: “The UAE government is relying on its young generation of men and women to promote fresh thinking and innovation in generating ideas with the aim of availing these talents to continue building a modern state based on self-innovation and excellence.” He also noted that such brainstorming sessions, which aim at developing appropriate ways to generate creative ideas, are an important factor to encourage creativity. “This practice should be implemented by all institutions as a key motivation for innovation. It also empowers the police institution to initiate the necessary initiatives and projects that are required to keep pace with the rapid evolution and overall progress taking place in the UAE society, which aspires to achieve a better future,” he continued.

Moreover, Major General Al Nuaimi explained that the initiative, which is implemented within the framework of a specialized workshop, focused on generating ideas that would positively reflect on improving child protection. “This measure aims at achieving the vision of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, to make the UAE into a leading and distinguished country in the field of child protection,” he concluded.

Dr. Riad Abdul Latif Al Muhaidib, President of Zayed University, revealed that calling all students to join this important initiative reflects the university’s keenness to encourage students to think collectively and enhance their creative and innovative talents. He also stressed the importance of the workshop, which is commensurate with the UAE government’s vision. Adding further, he said: “This participation embodies the university’s commitment to work with social institutions in order to keep pace with the cultural growth in the country. This approach has always been ascertained by Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development and President of Zayed University, at the various events and meetings held by the University.” He also expressed his appreciation for the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Centre for choosing Zayed University as a first venue to launch this brainstorming initiative with students.

Expert Dr. Omar Al Ali, moderator of the session, said: “Brainstorming is a practical way to motivate creative thinking, by which groups think collectively to find solutions for specific issues, and compile the spontaneous ideas provided by individuals.” He also noted that brainstorming is a more efficient way to compile ideas than individual work.

Moreover, Dr. Al Ali noted that the session takes into account a set of major principles and rules as follows: deferring judgment of ideas; refraining from criticizing ideas presented by the team members; encouraging participants to provide as many ideas as possible; combining two ideas or more; and improving or amending proposed ideas.

During the workshop, students were classified into several groups and then took part in a 30-minute session to brainstorm a number of topics related to child protection. In the second phase of the workshop, participants reviewed and assessed the proposed ideas according to a scientific methodology. Upon completion of the workshop, the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center had compiled as many as 23 new creative and applicable ideas related to the protection, security and safety of children, as well as several other proposals that need further revision and research before being implemented.   For his part, Major Dr. Mohammed Khalifa Al Ali, Director of the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center indicated that the workshop was designed to engage university students, who have deep-rooted skills and potential. “This workshop aimed at unlocking students’  potential and encouraging them to think collectively of creative solutions in an atmosphere of freedom and safety, conducive to positive opinions, ideas, observations and suggestions,” said Major Al Ali. Adding further, he noted that brainstorming encourages freedom of thought and is used to generate positive ideas in the field of child protection.

Furthermore, the Director of the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center stressed that the workshop gathered students of different disciplines and specializations, notably sociology, psychology, media and public relations and technical sciences to add further creativity to the workshops. He also noted that similar workshops will be held at other universities and colleges across the UAE to allow the generation and greater flow of ideas, and to provide students with the opportunity to submit creative ideas or brainstorm solutions regarding the most pressing issues in a creative and innovative manner.

During the workshop, the Association of the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center was established, based on a previous idea. It aims to promote and strengthen the relationship with people interested in child protection, especially young and creative people, with a view to avail of their expertise, skills and ideas in this area, and to provide them with the opportunity to interact and participate in the various events held by the Center, to achieve a happy and decent life for children.

Students expressed their delight to have participated in the workshop, which marks a first experience for them. They also expressed their willingness to participate in other workshops to promote services related to child protection.

The workshop was attended by Major Fahed Ismail Al Hosani, Chief of the Creativity Sponsorship Section at the Creativity and Leadership Development Center; Professor Maryam Al Ali, Supervisor of the events and activities as a part of April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month; as well as First Lieutenant Mariam Matbouna, Lieutenant Wafa Al Awar; and Rashid Al Marzouqui, from the Awareness Branch at the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center.

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Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

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