A good roadmap for the future

By laying out Vision 2021 before the people, the Cabinet shows that it’s good to talk

Health cover is one of the topics the UAE cabinet will be considering. Photo: Silvia Razgova / The National

The seven-year, seven-point plan announced by the Cabinet is an important development, not least because it identifies the key social issues that the Government plans to tackle and communicates these points in an appropriate fashion.

Good communication is key to engaging citizens and it is reassuring to know that the Government wants to improve the quality of life and measure social progress in more holistic terms than mere economic indicators.

Its seven-point plan has identified the following social issues that are important: children, families, education, green living, food security, future prosperity and the prevention and elimination of diabetes. Six of these seven themes are fairly broad, but all of them are key to enhancing social prosperity in the Emirates.

It would not be inaccurate to say that Vision 2021’s announcement essentially kicks off a nationwide awareness campaign.

There will be some debate about what weight to give to each issue, but few will deny the need to continue to improve our educational system, institute critical thinking rather than rote learning and pay greater attention to the way Arabic is taught in school.

Most people will also agree that children’s health is an important issue that requires urgent attention, with a particular focus on the alarming increase in the number of children being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. This has been described by doctors as a “national health emergency”.

Then there is the cohesiveness of the family unit and the need to strengthen society by arresting the rise in divorce rates among Emiratis.

Transparency is an important part of communicating a government’s goals. Over the next seven years, keeping people informed of progress – and problems – en route to a better tomorrow will help the process of change and growth.