Under the patronage of Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, the second virtual Ramadan Council of the Ministry of Interior was held last night as part of the tenth edition of the councils 2021. The Tuesday’s council discussed the topics of the new long life," "happiness and quality of life in the digital era" and "the future of modern health, happiness and quality of life. The topics come under the UAE’s vision to make happiness and positivity a way of life, and work according to strategic plans with future foresight, and enhance government work with a vision for sustainability of excellence and leadership.
The Council was moderated by Professor Khadija Hussein Abdullah, Executive Director of the Government Communication Sector in the UAE Government Media Office. Keynote speakers included Professor Andrew Scott, a specialist in Economic Sciences and Business Administration, and Professor Michael Norton, Professor of Business Administration and a member of the Behavioral Insights Group at Harvard University, and a researcher in human behavior, happiness and quality of life, and Australian expert Mark Boone, a specialist in physical health, fitness, and psychological and life skills.
The Council was attended by Lt. Gen. Saif Abdullah Al Shafar, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Maj. Gen. Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Chairman of the Institutional Development Council at the Ministry, Maj. Gen. Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Inspector General of the Ministry of Interior, Maj. Gen. Salem Ali Mubarak Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Resources and Support Services, and Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Maktoum Al Sherifi, Director General of Preventive Security as well as a number of general police chiefs from all over the UAE and a number of the Ministry’s officers, and representatives from government entities and agencies. The council witnessed a huge turnout as 1628 people attended.
Professor Andrew Scott indicated that life, according to technical developments and modern inventions, positively affects human health, and provides medical solutions that contribute to human efforts in developing health care. Through these efforts, communities will have productive, fit and healthy persons who live longer than before, thus changing workers’ age limit, retirement age, productivity and unemployment rates.
Scott presented global statistics indicating a high life expectancy rate among people all over the world. Now we have long living generations compared to their predecessors, and this entails the need to double our efforts to be well prepared for planning and investing in the future and developing our skills and capabilities through a long-term perspective and helping future generations to be prepared for the nature of life that is different from the current lifestyle. This applies to the development of both education and health.
Scott also stressed that societies should become aware of these changes and developments and to step up their efforts according to a future vision based on identifying changes and behaviors and be well prepared scientifically for the future and societal changes. Individuals, institutions and governments must draw up a roadmap to consider all future changes and come up with realistic solutions, to get a long, happy and smart life where people enjoy health, energy and productivity, with a better ability to achieve their goals.
Professor Michael Norton discussed the most important policies and effective ways to enhance happiness and the quality of life through public policies, strategic thinking and official plans. He then reviewed the main factors which make happiness and quality of life on top of the agenda and how to achieve happiness in the digital era.
He said that money and annual income are not the criterion or the main factor for happiness. Rather, the most important thing is what people do with this money. Professor Norton added that it is necessary to find a balance between digital life, technological developments and happiness, and to avoid what he called the "curse of counting", which means focusing on one factor to enhance happiness without reaching a balance of all factors.
Norton stressed that societies and public policy makers need to realize that happiness is a comprehensive concept not related to material needs only. Therefore, programs must be developed to cover all aspects that enhance happiness, positivity and quality of life, especially in the digital eras and developments which include services, science, and introducing curricula and teaching methods. There must be programs covering all aspects of development ensuring better life and promoting societal happiness and satisfaction.
Mark Boone tackled the secrets and equations to improve human health and the productive life of individuals to overcome the challenges resulting from technological developments. He pointed out that this requires people who are able and qualified to deal with speed and digital challenges to achieve societal goals of happiness, spreading positivity and raising quality levels.
Boone then pointed to the importance of addressing psychological, mental and physical health, stressing that many ideal and appropriate practices can be put in place to achieve this desired health goal which positively affects the development process in all countries and enhances the quality of life. He gave advice to attendees on enhancing harmony with nature, changing our healthy habits in natural ways and utilizing what nature has for us, including healing benefits for the human body mentally, physically and psychologically, as well as reducing our reliance on modern technologies and devices and being more attached to nature.
It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Interior’s Councils in their tenth session are held virtually and discuss a number of vital topics as part of the preparations for the next 50 years pursuant to the directives of the UAE government. The government’s vision is focused on promoting the Emirati development and leadership process and maintaining the country’s advanced position on global competitiveness indicators. The Ministry of Interior is also keen on the continuity of the councils, ensuring they are held every Ramadan given the vital role they play in promoting community communication, spreading positive culture and strengthening the link between the Ministry and the community. Such interaction contributes to presenting proposals and recommendations that enhance the quality of services, as well as the stability and security of society, so that all its members become partners in the process of development and prosperity which the UAE witnesses in all fields.