“I am a proud UAE national” is a statement I believe many around the world hear, followed by stories of our heritage and our history, interwoven with endearing tales about our leadership. In recounting tales and conveying our pride, we feel that we have, in a small way, paid back a country that has given us so much.
Most days, our pride is met with appreciation and understanding, but on some occasions, we are met with a flicker of scepticism and a quizzical look that asks the question: why are you proud?
I believe that the single most powerful lesson instilled in us by Sheikh Zayed is our country’s tradition of inclusion. We have been taught through example that authentic human progress can only be achieved if we work together in good faith, a belief that directly underpins the country’s unprecedented progress and forms the cornerstone of our moral principles.
It is this spirit of inclusion that has led our country to secure long-standing diplomatic relations with more than 100 nations, forge strong partnerships with the world’s largest companies, become a centre of gravity for multi-industry entrepreneurship and host residents from more than 200 countries.
Carrying forward this legacy of inclusion has become a responsibility that now rests on all of our shoulders.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, recently addressed Emirati youth during the Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations and spoke about the crucial responsibility they bear as ambassadors of our country.
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Read more
The majlis: It’s important to keep a positive reputation
The UAE will gladly share its pro-tolerance strategy with the world
How the UAE is actively promoting dialogue and understanding between different cultures and religions
Religious tolerance is part of the fabric of the UAE
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He highlighted the importance of education and technology in helping young Emiratis become a positive example to the world and cultivating a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the values shared within Arab culture.
Exemplifying our values of respect, tolerance and generosity will help reflect a positive image of the UAE to the wider world.
Rapid technological advancement has opened up the realm of diplomacy to our youth and provided them with a digital arena to advance our nation’s global influence and legacy. It is important that we capitalise on these interactions to spread our message of inclusion and tolerance.
Through acting responsibly and tactfully to ensure daily interaction is fruitful, every Emirati plays a part in creating social and economic capital for our nation and enhancing mutual understanding across cultures. This would help the UAE build on its diplomatic legacy through citizen engagement.
The UAE leadership has long recognised the powerful role of education in empowering UAE nationals across all sectors, including that of diplomacy. Educational institutions, such as the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA), will help ensure that Emiratis learn to leverage their unique diplomatic positions in the most conducive of ways.
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More on the UAE's pluralism
The UAE has a ‘sound equation’ for coexistence
Abu Dhabi mosque named after Mary ‘a testimony to what unites us’, tolerance minister says
Leaders pay tribute to UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed
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The EDA, which was established in 2014, is an important demonstration of how much the UAE values the cultivation of young diplomats as a way of strengthening the nation's global standing.
Initiatives like this offer an effective way to cultivate a generation of citizens who understand how to share information and communicate ideas effectively and diplomatically across various cultures and nations.
Both education and diplomacy are needed to help the UAE further empower its citizens and enrich its relations with other nations.
Reconciling the two in order to foster the new concept of citizen diplomacy would provide a dynamic and powerful tool for positively shaping our country, one that will allow Emiratis to carry forward Sheikh Zayed’s rich legacy with a strong and unified voice that echoes his message of inclusion, tolerance and generosity for generations to come.
Dr Lamya N Fawwaz is vice president of institutional advancement and public affairs at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology
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TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
more from Janine di Giovanni
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
