His Excellency Shams Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi, has confirmed that the Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in the Inclusion of People of Determination (Damj) will undergo a significant expansion in 2027 to cover all emirates of the country, in a step that reflects the success of the initiative and its direction towards promoting inclusion practices at the national level.
Al Dhaheri, speaking at the award ceremony honouring winners of the first edition the day before yesterday, said the 2027 edition will incorporate new themes and categories in line with future developments, among them a dedicated track on artificial intelligence technologies and their role in supporting and empowering people of determination, contributing to the development of innovative services and solutions tailored to this group.
He confirmed that work is currently under way on the second phase of the People of Determination Strategy, which will build on achievements to date and respond to evolving requirements, further establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading model in the field of inclusion and empowerment.
Dr Layla Al Hiyas, Executive Director of the Family Care and Child Sector at the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi, highlighted the wide participation in the first edition of the Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in the Inclusion of People of Determination (Damj), with 272 entities from various sectors taking part.
She explained that 134 entities qualified for the final stage, while only 10 entities won awards, spanning institutions from the government and private sectors as well as the third sector.
She noted that the award focused on three main pillars: accessibility, inclusive employment, and inclusive services, reflecting a comprehensive approach to enhancing the quality of life of people of determination and empowering them across various fields.
A number of attendees from among people of determination praised the Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in the Inclusion of People of Determination (Damj), affirming that it represents a leading platform for entrenching a culture of social inclusion and strengthening the principle of equal opportunities, alongside its role in encouraging educational institutions and government and private entities to adopt best practices that ensure the participation and empowerment of people of determination across all fields.
In statements on the sidelines of the award ceremony, they noted that Damj represents an important step in supporting national efforts aimed at empowering people of determination and reinforcing their presence as active partners in society, stressing that the continuation of such initiatives contributes to developing more inclusive educational and professional environments.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mazrouei affirmed that Damj is one of the qualitative initiatives that creates a positive and sustainable impact on the lives of people of determination and their families, noting that it is not limited to honouring distinguished institutions but also motivates various entities to develop environments that are more inclusive and better suited to the needs of this group.
He indicated that the award reflects the UAE's vision of empowering people of determination and engaging them effectively in the journey of development.
Fatima Al Balushi noted that the award sheds light on successful models and distinguished practices in the field of inclusion.
Sultan Al Siyabi affirmed that the Damj award represents an important social message confirming that people of determination are partners in development and success, noting that honouring distinguished entities drives institutions to strengthen inclusion programmes and develop related policies, in addition to raising awareness of the importance of removing barriers in education, employment, and community participation.
Abdulaziz Abdullah noted that the award reflects the commitment of the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE to enhancing the quality of life for people of determination, affirming that efforts to adapt schools, workplaces, and various facilities have contributed to expanding opportunities for participation and success.
Fatima Al Jasem expressed her appreciation for the role the award plays in entrenching a culture of inclusivity and celebrating achievements in the field of inclusion, stressing that honouring distinguished entities serves as an incentive to develop more programmes and services dedicated to people of determination, and adding that the award contributes to building a more cohesive and integrated society that provides equal opportunities for learning, work, and creativity.